FULL-TIME: Blackpool 0 Bristol City 1

STEVE Brooker hit a last-minute winner for Bristol City to

bank three points at Blackpool in the opening match of the

Championship campaign.

The second-half substitute’s half-turn and snapshot proved

the difference between the two sides on an afternoon of missed

opportunities.

Goal machine Nicky Maynard spurned an open net and

substitute keeper Chris Weale was called upon to make two

sensational saves late on at the other end.

But City boss Gary Johnson will feel his team deserved the

result after a much-improved second-half performance.

Maynard fired a hat-trick on his debut against Royal Antwerp

and could have repeated the feat at Bloomfield Road, but missed

three good chances, the pick of which was a free header in

front of an open goal from five yards.

Brooker came on with nine minutes to go and went on to steal

the headlines, though, and get City off to the perfect

start.