Johnson has led Bristol City to the brink of promotion to the elite

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson has insisted the club does not dare to dream of the Premier League after their crushing 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

City blew the chance to move four points clear at the top of the Championship and Johnson branded it his side's worst performance of the season.

"It was tough, a poor game on our part and not what we planned," he said.

"If anything that game will keep our feet on the ground. There will be no talk of the next level at this club."

Bristol City now sit one point clear of second-placed Stoke and two points ahead of Hull and Watford, though all three clubs have a game in hand on the leaders.

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After the comprehensive 2-0 win, in Stern John struck his 17th goal of the season and Jason Euell grabbed the second to lift Saints out of the drop zone, Johnson admitted City were outplayed.

"Southampton were a better team than us and we hold our hands up," he said.

"We chased Southampton around for most of the game. It was probably our poorest performance of the season and we are honest enough to admit that.

"But we are where we are because we are an honest bunch."

City face Wolves next weekend and then travel to the Britannia Stadium on 19 April to face Stoke in a match which could go a long way to deciding who is promoted to the Premier League.