Gary Johnson admitted Southampton's players "wanted it more" than his own as City slipped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at St.Mary's Stadium.

Goals from Stern John and Jason Euell gave the home side a much-deserved victory to ease relegation fears on the South Coast.

FREE: Gary Johnson's post-match press conference
WORLD TV: Gary Johnson exclusive interview

For City it was another poor day at the office. They have now won just once in their last seven games, hitting their promotion push despite staying top today.

Gary admitted on Bristol City World: "It was the worst we have played since the start of the season. We're honest enough to hold our hands up and admit that. We've got to work very, very hard to turn that sort of performance around.

"Credit to Southampton. They had the better quality and work-rate on the day. They put us under pressure from the off and we never really recovered from it.

"We've come to St Mary's when they were in a bit of trouble and on the day they looked like they wanted their three points more than we did. At least that's what it looked like.

"We just didn't start very well. We looked like we were lacking in confidence and were chasing Southampton around for most of the game."

Wih the only other top six side in action winning today, Gary was asked what impact the result could have on his side's promotion hopes,

He replied: "We've got to do a lot to turn our game around and that is really what we will be concentrating on at the training ground over the next five or six days because it is our job to do that.

"You know, that game there keeps your feet on the ground and puts us in our place a little bit.

"It will help us focus on the next game. We can't think four games ahead now, not after that performance.

"Any talk about the next level is not going to be at our football club at this moment in time."

Watch Gary Johnson's post-match interview on Bristol City World, and watch exclusive extended highlights online from 4.45pm on Sunday.