Bristol City 1 Crystal Palace 0

Nicky Maynard grabbed a late winner to offer Bristol City what could be considered a lucky victory on a controversial afternoon where Crystal Palace striker Freddie Sears had a first-half-goal ruled out in farcical circumstances.

The on-loan West Ham striker offered up a sublime piece of skill to outwit Jamie McCombe and finish with aplomb - only for the ball to hit a pole holding the net down at the bottom of the goal and bounce out again quickly.

Sears wheeled away in delight chased by his teammates - only to have his celebrations abruptly halted as neither the referee Rob Shoebridge nor the linesman were convinced that the ball had gone into the net on 34 minutes.

Palace boss Neil Warnock launched into a furious red-faced rant on the touchline as mostly every Palace player remonstrated with the officials over the injustice. It had been a rare counter-attck from a Palace side who had for the most part of the first-half been forced to defend as City enjoyed more of the ball and the better of the early exchanges.

For all thier possession, however, City never really created many a clear-cut opportunities - even though there was certainly more purpose about Gary Johnson's side when the manager reverted to a flat back four after the break and introduced the nuisance that is John Akinde from the bench.

Midfielder Paul Hartley did have the ball in the net on 51 minutes - but the effort was ruled out - correctly, on this occasion - for offside. Other than that City toiled against a resolute Palace side and were only presented the opportunity to win the game following a mistake from Jose Fonte, which allowed Maynard to stroke into an almost unguarded net from just over 20 yards out with three minutes to spare.

Gary Johnson's side had been tepid offensively in the first-hald against a resolute Palace side despite enjoying more of the ball in the opening exchanges. Jamie McCombe went close with a header that was cleared off the line from a corner on 10 minutes but it was Palace that had the first real sight at goal when City goalkeeper Dean Gerken was forced to palm away after Alan Lee directed a header goalward from a Danny Butterfield free-kick.

City continued to pose their greatest threat from set-pieces and only a saving block from Palace defender Paddy McCarthy prevented Nicky Mayard from breaking the deadlock after the ball dropped on the edge of the penalty area following a Hartley outswinger.

Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni was called into action for the first time on 32 minutes with a routine save following a jinking run and low shot from Ivan Sproule before the farcical Sears 'goal' incident.

City returned with greater purpose after the break and Hartley had the ball in the net from close-range on 51 minutes after Speroni could only parry away a low shot from substitute John Akinde. The linesman was quick to react, however, and his flag was raised rapidly to disappoint Hartley and the hoardes in the Atyeo Stand behind the goal.

The action began to flow end-to-end and Palace were thwarted soon after due to a fine save from Gerken to repel a Darren Ambrose effort through a crowd of players from the edge of the box. Ambrose went close again on 74 minutes with a free-kick that flew just wide from the edge of the box.

Akinde continued to pose problems for the Palace backline with his pace and power and it was him making a nuisance of himself again that presented maynard with a chance with just under 10 minutes remaining. The ball fell invitingly for the marksman inside the penalty area but his blistering volley was bravely repelled by Palace defender McCarthy. The former Crewe striker was not to be denied, however, and made no mistake when taking advantage of Fonte's howler to rub salt into an the already gaping wound Palace boss Warnock was nursing from the afternoon's events.

Bristol City (3-4-1-2): Gerken; Skuse, McCombe, Nyatanga,; Orr, Hartley (Fontaine 90), Elliott, McAllister; Clarkson (Akinde 46); Maynard, Sproule. Subs: Johnson, Williams, Blackman, Wilson, Basso.

Crystal Palace: (4-3-3): Speroni; Butterfield, McCarthy, Fonte, Hill; Danns, Derry, Ambrose; Sears, Lee, N'Diaye. Subs: Clyne, Carle, Moses, Flahavan, Scannell, lawrence, Ertl

Attendance: 14,603