Tyreeq Bakinson marked his 50th City appearance with a goal to help City secure victory over Stoke City.
By Ashley Garner
The win was reward for a gutsy display that saw the Robins survive an onslaught of Stoke chances but ultimately come through with three points.
WHAT HAPPENED
Stoke City started the brighter and could have been two goals up inside the first two minutes when Steven Fletcher headed back across goal and hit the post and then Jacob Brown forced Dan Bentley into an excellent one-handed save.
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City started to settle into the game and made some in-roads into the Stoke box, including a penalty appeal when Callum O’Dowda crossed and the ball came off Leo Ostigard’s hand.
Fletcher hit the woodwork again in the 35th minute when Josh Tyman crossed and the leaping header crashed into the bar.
City got their breakthrough in the 40th minute after Tomas Kalas’ throw was flicked on by Chris Martin and Bakinson stabbed the ball into the net.
The Robins finished the first half stronger as Williams shot was steered back towards goal but ultimately tipped over by Kalas.
Williams was replaced by Massengo after 59 minutes but City had a scare when the ball went past the midfielder in front of goal but came off Romain Sawyers' chest and straight at Bentley.
Stoke had another gilt-edged opportunity in the 71st minute when James Chester headed wide straight in front of goal.
Rob Atkinson replaced Nathan Baker in the 85th minute and Cameron Pring took over from O’Dowda three minutes later.
Tyrese Campbell had a chance to level the scores in the 89th minute but he hit the side-netting.
The officials added nine minutes of time to the 90 but City managed the final stages well to secure a valuable three points.