Gary Johnson paid tribute to his medical and coaching team after City's extra-time win over Crystal Palace booked them a place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on May 24th.

After Ben Watson headed the visitors back level on aggregate in the first half, Adriano Basso's penalty save forced the match to go the full 120 minutes.

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City ended the stronger of the two sides with two glorious strikes by Lee Trundle and Michael McIndoe sealing a famous victory.

He told Bristol City World: "How many times have we come back in games late on?

"That's a credit to my medical team, coaching staff, and myself of course, and the players for working hard for these sort of games.

"Yes, we did let a goal in but you are going to make a mistake over two matches, and that is what it was - a mistake.

"But we trust these players with their fitness and commitment in the last part of games.

"We've always said to the boys - hydration is important. That's why they finished strong, there is no muck inside them, you are what you eat.

"And tonight just proves to the boys: 'You can finsh strong, trust your training.'"

Gary also praised both goalscorers for their vital efforts in both halves of extra time.

He said: "I keep saying that we have some players who have some great quality.

"Trunds likes to get in those positions and he does seem to tuck them in, and we're proud of him because he works at it.

"I said to him just after he signed for us: ' Lee Trundle is not just for Christmas, he's for three-and-a-half years'.

"He is a fantastic footballer and produces the kind of quality that is not seen often at any level.

"We knew if we got him working his ability for the team, and he got nice and fit, then he would win matches for us.

"As for McIndoe he always fancies himself from that sort of area and he struck it well and that was the winner."

The media frenzy leading up to the second leg was dominated by comments made by Palace boss Neil Warnock regarding what he felt were premature celebrations by City players at Selhurst Park after a late goal by David Noble.

But Gary revealed his counterpart had congratulated each and every one of City's players in the dressing room after the match.

He added: "To be fair, just before the whistle went he went over and said: 'Congratulations' and wished us well.

"Everyone has got to be humble in defeat and I'm definitely humble in victory.

"Yes, the game sometimes can won off the field as well as on it, but at the end of the day it is down to your players

"We can have fights and psychological warfare but at the end of the day it is down to the players

"And anyway we have got be careful because we might still be playing them again next season. We hope not, of course."

That will depend on the outcome of the Championship play-off final on Saturday 24th May against the winners of tomorrow's play-off semi-final, second leg between Hull and Watford.

Gary said: "I have no preference on who we play. I'm just going to enjoy the game tomorrow night knowing we are already there, and whoever gets there good luck to them.

"Looking back over the season never once did any of us say we weren't good enough and we weren't going to make it.

"Bristol is fantastic footballing area. We've had success and Rovers have had some success over the last couple of years.

"If one of the teams can take off then the area will take off us a football area. We want Bristol on the map, we want our reputation to keep going ahead of ourselves.

"Our fans were brilliant today. I said I didn't want anyone going home with a voice and they were all hoarse judging by the way they were speaking to me after the final whistle. So I was I, but that was maybe because I had my tie pulled tight around my neck [referring to post-match celebrations on the pitch]!

"The supporters gave it a right go and when they do that sends shivers up your spine."