Southampton 0-1 Bristol City

The strike was Johnson's first league goal since August 2007

Bristol City maintained their fine away form in the Championship as Lee Johnson's second-half goal earned them a deserved win at Southampton.

The midfielder got the game's only goal on 52 minutes when he calmly slotted in from 16 yards from David Noble's pass.

And it could have been even better had Michael McIndoe not seen his first-half penalty saved by keeper Kelvin Davis following a handball by Alex Pearce.

David McGoldrick fired the Saints' best chance wide late in the game.

Southampton head coach Jan Poortvliet:
"I was disappointed because in the first half we lacked a little bit of quality and team spirit.

"It was not until we went 1-0 down that we showed our skill and what we are capable of.

"The players perform differently at home to when we play away and I think they are a little bit fearful."

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson:
"It is a much harder league this year but our dream is to play in the Premier League. We came agonisingly close last season and hopefully this year we can go just as close if not closer.

"It is a tight division and you only need to win a couple of games to be right up there so we need to go on a good run.

"My aim is to be in the top six by Christmas and then we will know which other teams we are competing with."

Southampton: Davis, Cork, Wotton (Euell 60), Pearce, Lancashire, Thomson (Wright-Phillips 45), Lallana, Surman, Skacel, Gobern (Pekhart 73), McGoldrick.
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, White.

Booked: Cork.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Fontaine, McCombe, Brian Wilson, Williams (Sproule 81), Elliott, Johnson, McIndoe, Noble (James Wilson 87), Adebola (Maynard 90).
Subs Not Used: Weale, Trundle.

Booked: Williams.

Goals: Johnson 52.

Att: 14,535

Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).