Three games that we have lost, conceding seven goals without anything in the goals for column.
City were competitive for the first half of tonights game, Spencer Prior in the sort of form that City fans would expect, his best half for a long time. Up front Andy Legg fired a shot just over and a goalmouth scramble won City a corner.
At the other end Alexander saved well low down from a header. That was about it for goalmouth action. Before the game City had a huddle and tried to boost their confidence, it was working we definately had the edge.
At half time Lennie was out gunned by Danny Wilson, Bristol came out a pace quicker with the ball, quicker to react to win the ball and looking for more hungrier that they had been.
The turing point though came from a conroversial decision by the linesman. Scott Murray was away like lightening and it seemed as though Daniel Gabbidon was a match for Murray and won the ball but the flag went up and a bemused City support at the other end of the ground saw the linesman award the penalty. Tinnion fired past Alexander to ensure the City keeper has never saved a penalty kick, Tinnion scored at Ninian Park from the spot as well, a different part of the goal tonight but with the same result. After seeing the challange on TV it's controversial to say the least. Murray reacted as if he'd won the lottery.
City had to push forward but they were not good enough. Bristol swatted away the City attacks and when they broke they were devastating. The telling moment came when Murray flew down the right to cross for Roberts to score again past his former club. City were outclassed in the second half.
As the board went up for 3 mins added time Andy Campbell clashed with Aaran Brown. Danny Wilson post match said his player was in a headlock, I'm sorry Mr Wilson but your player is a liar and a cheat. Campbell was the one in the headlock and Brown was deliberately holding Campbell back, Campbell reacted when he did get free and Gareth Ainsworth waded in, it seemed as if he was intent on breaking up the trouble but then the referee lost it completely. Campbell was booked for his part, fair enough for retaliation but I don't blame him, he was wronged. Brown was sent off after being given a second yellow card. Ainsworth was given a yellow card followed immediately by a red card. Sent off for a second yellow after receiving the first for arguing about the penalty. The referee immediately blew the whistle for full time, City would never have scored to try and rescue the game but the ref bottled it and did not allow any added time at all.
Matt Hill was excellent in defence tonight, he kept Gareth Ainsworth out of the game but he flirted with the laws of the game, I suppose if a City defender had played like Hill I would be praising his efforts, I thought Hill was gulity of a handball, a high kick and several niggly fouls and he got away with all of them.
So here we are three defeats in a week. I was devasted last Tuesday after a 10 hour round trip to see us capitulate at London Rd. My weekend was ruined on Saturday when we laid down and died in front of Colchester. To rub salt in the wounds the club then called it's frustrated fans morons. An extra day off work was taken for the 7 hour round trip to Bristol. For me personally (taking two kids to all the games with me) it was a costly and emotional few days.
Automatic promotion is stiill a possibility but City will be happy to confirm a play off place.
We need to have a moment for everyone to clear their heads. The animosity is dreadful, we face Champions Wigan on Saturday and I thing we'll be lucky to get another 12,000 crowd.
There's blame all round the place. The one thing sticking in my throat tonight is a comment by Lennie a few months ago.
You remember we lost to Bournemouth in the LDV, a competition we felt we could win, a day out at the Millennium Stadium, etc etc
Lennie said about the competition that he was glad Bristol were still in it, they would be concentrating on that while we clould concentrate on the league, well just look, Bristol won the LDV in front of 35,000 of their fans, they have now beaten us and can go on to automatic promotion and here we are devastated, blown apart and in the middle of a crisis that needs some firm leadership and a damn good sort out.
It would take a freak few results to see us promoted as it would to see us miss the play offs. I am trying to be as upbeat as possible for the future but I feel drained. We have to face Champions Wigan on Saturday and then may be going to Crewe to celebrate their promotion while we are the bridesmaid.
It does not help when we cannot muster a decent effort on goal in 270 minutes of football.