Full-time: Southampton 0 Bristol City 1

LEE Johnson scored his first goal in more than a year to silence his critics and put Bristol City's season back on track at St Mary's.

A target for terrace boo-boys in recent weeks, the manager's son let his football do his talking for him as Championship strugglers Southampton were put in their place in front of the Sky TV cameras.

City dominated for long periods and squandered a glorious chance to take the lead when Michael McIndoe missed from the penalty spot midway through the first half.

But Johnson saved his team-mate's blushes when shooting high into the top right-hand corner of the net from 15 yards after being set-up by David Noble.

It was the midfielder's first goal since he netted against Queens Park Rangers on the opening day of last season.

City had to withstand intense pressure during the final stages as Saints threw everything at them, and David McGoldrick wasted a great chance to equalise when sending his shot across the face of goal from six yards out.

As expected, City manager Gary Johnson made changes to his starting line-up in the wake of last weekend's 4-1 trouncing at the hands of Reading.

Not permitted to feature against his parent club, loan signing Stern John was replaced by veteran striker Dele Adebola, while fit-again Gavin Williams and Noble were named in a five-man midfield with Ivan Sproule and Nicky Maynard dropping to the bench.

Johnson demanded a committed performance before kick-off and his players responded, taking the game to a young Saints side and doing everything but scoring in an eventful first half.

City's early pressure was rewarded when they were given a penalty by Hertfordshire referee Andy Penn in the 19th minute.

McIndoe crossed from the left and Olly Lancashire headed behind to deny Adebola an almost certain goal. Jamie McCombe met the resultant corner kick with a header which Saints centre-back Alex Pearce was adjudged to have handled.

Referee Penn pointed to the spot, only for McIndoe to opt for power over placement and direct his kick too close to goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who dived to his left to make a smart save.

Good football was at a premium in wet and windy conditions and the home side threatened only sporadically, mostly from set-piece routines.

Lancashire headed wide from a corner, while the pacy Jake Thomson out-stripped Brian Wilson to deliver a dangerous cross from the right which was deflected the wrong side of the post by seven-goal top scorer McGoldrick.

Opportunity again came knocking for City shortly before half-time, Davis rushing from his line to clear from Noble, only to give the ball straight to Johnson. Unfortunately, the midfielder's first-time shot from 30 yards sailed harmlessly high and wide.

City stamped their authority in the closing stages of the first period and Williams and McIndoe both tested Davis from inside the penalty area.

City had been threatening a goal for some time and it came as little surprise when they forged ahead seven minutes after the break.

Set-up by Bradley Orr's through ball, Adebola sent his shot crashing against the post, only for the ball to rebound to Noble who, displayed presence of mind to see Johnson arriving to his left.

His deft pass rolled invitingly for Johnson, whose rising shot from 15 yards made the net bulge and sent City fans into delirium.

It was all City and McCombe almost plundered a second goal when meeting McIndoe's corner with a downward header which required Davis to make a sprawling save.

Saints boss Jan Poortvliet introduced Jason Euell on the hour and the big striker wasted the home side's best chance moments later, accepting Adam Lallana's clever pass and sending his first-time shot wide of the target from an angle with only Adriano Basso to beat.

Basso was called into action soon afterwards, bravely diving at the feet of the dangerous Lallana to keep the Saints at bay.

Southampton: Davis, Cork, Wotton (Euell 60), Pearce, Lancashire, Thomson (Wright-Phillips 45), Lallana, Surman, Skacel, Gobern (Pekhart 73), McGoldrick. Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, White.

City: Basso, Orr, Fontaine, McCombe, Brian Wilson, Williams (Sproule 81), Elliott, Johnson, McIndoe, Noble (James Wilson 87), Adebola (Maynard 90). Subs Not Used: Weale, Trundle.