Late heartache as Bristol City lose at Derby

Full-time: Derby County 2 Bristol City 1. Bristol City's play-off ambitions suffered another heavy blow as they slipped to defeat in a dramatic finale at Pride Park.

Trailing to Chris Porter's goal after 52 seconds, the Robins thought they had salvaged a point when Gavin Williams netted a brilliant equaliser seven minutes from time.

But there was a sting in the tail for the promotion contenders, who were undone by a late sucker punch, Rob Hulse restoring Derby's lead two minutes later to haul Nigel Clough's team clear of relegation danger.

Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for a City side which dominated possession and put their opponents under pressure for long periods.

In the final analysis, they only had themselves to blame for missing a series of chances in front of goal.

Nicky Maynard proved the main culprit when put clean through early on, while Jamie McCombe saw a header come back off the bar.

The Robins looked the more likely winners when Williams levelled matters from 25 yards, but the Rams rallied and had the final say through Hulse, whose 14th goal of the season settled the issue.

City have now gone three games without a win and are under pressure to beat Coventry and Cardiff in back-to-back home games on Tuesday and next Sunday respectively if they wish to remain in contention for the play-offs.

Clough made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Andy Todd in place of goal-scorer Porter and leaving Hulse to plough a lone furrow in attack.

Derby were prepared to put men behind the ball, drop deep and invite City onto them, a tactic which nearly reaped dividends when Barazite broke free and unleashed a shot from an oblique angle. Fortunately for the visitors, Adriano Basso was equal to the task.

But it was City who continued to hold the upper hand and John was denied a clear sight of goal only by Paul Connolly's last-ditch intervention, while McCombe sent another header over from a McIndoe corner.

Forced to press forward, City left themselves exposed on the counter and Hulse had a great chance to double his side's, only to shoot straight at Basso when well-placed just inside the 18 yard box.

Johnson decided to introduce Ivan Sproule's pace on 62 minutes, withdrawing McCombe and moving Orr into the back three to accommodate the Irishman.

City were still reorganising when Barazite cut in from the right and unleashed a powerful low drive which required Basso to make another excellent save.

Normal service was soon resumed, Derby dropping ever deeper and soaking up intense pressure as the visitors set up a prolonged barrage of the Derby penalty area. Williams had a volley saved by Byfield, Louis Carey sent a cross-cum-shot curling beyond the far post and McIndoe was halted in fill flow by Albrechtsen.

Peter Styvar replaced Maynard with 15 minutes remaining as Johnson played his final card.

But it was Derby who came closes to scoring, Orr's back pass catching Basso unawares and the keeper having to back-track furiously to hack the ball off the line and avert calamity.

City deserved to be level and the equaliser came with seven minutes to play. The ball fell invitingly for Williams 25 yards from goal and he beat Bywater all ends up with a fantastic strike, the ball flying over the keeper and dipping into the net to restore parity.

But Derby were back in front two minutes later, Gary Teale crossing from the left and Hulse side-footing home from six yards.