Bristol City captain Louis Carey said scoring his first goal in 19 months in the play-off win at Crystal Palace was an overdue promise to his team-mates.

"We talked about what we're going to give each other in the last 10 games of a season and I wrote down a goal," Carey told BBC Points West.

"I thought it was never going to happen but fortunately enough it came in a big game and got us in a decent position."

City are now favourites going into the second leg at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.

Carey's 53rd-minute strike at Selhurst Park came from a well-planned free-kick routine.

"We've worked on it for about four years and it's only come off once," said the 30-year-old.

Carey's goal at Palace was his 12th in 508 games for Bristol City (Getty)

"We do work on it in training and when (the chance) comes to you, you just rely on your training and it just happens."

After three unsuccessful play-off attempts with City, Carey is doing his best to avoid getting carried away by being 90 minutes away from a Wembley final.

"We'll try and sleep and not let the game rattle around your brain too much and keep you awake, but it's hard not to get excited at the moment.

"The gaffer will get the lads back down to earth and we'll start preparing for the Tuesday night game."