Danny Haynes hit the post twice but Town had the better chances, with Jon Stead, Pablo Counago and Owen Garvan all having gilt edged openings to give Blues all three points.

Stead was twice denied by Dean Gerken in the first-half, with Garvan blasting over from 10 yards.

Former Blue Haynes hit both posts after the break but Town continued to carve out chances and Counago should have won the game four minutes from time when the ball came back to him six yards out after Grant Leadbitter's shot had hit the post but Gerken denied the Spaniard.

Roy Keane made three changes to the Town side that won at Cardiff last week, Arran Lee-Barrett making his first start for Blues, replacing knee injury victim Richard Wright in goal. Stead and Alan Quinn coming in for Tamas Priskin and Carlos Edwards.

Stern John, who spent much of last season on loan at Bristol City, headed over from Owen Garvan's cross in the opening minutes, Paul Hartley firing wide at the other end soon after.

The Robins scrambled the ball away after Gerken had parried Leadbitter's 20 yarder, Gareth McAuley heading wide seconds later as Blues looked the more likely to open the scoring.

Stead volleyed wide from Jon Walters' cross, the Town frontman then bursting clear on goal but couldn't beat Gerken with his left foot strike.

Hartley sent his free-kick straight at Lee-Barrett, Haynes then crowded out by Damien Delaney as he looked for space on the edge of the box.

Delaney split the Robins' defence with a diagonal pass that sent Stead in on goal, his cross fell into Garvan's path but the Republic of Ireland U21 international fired over from 10 yards.

Stead's runs were proving a problem for the home defence as he looked to beat their offside trap and a slick pass down the right flank from Walters released him in on goal again but Gerken came to Bristol's rescue with a block at the near post.

Marvin Elliott picked up a first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on John, with City finishing the half with Lee Johnson's shot blocked by McAuley, Hartley then shooting over from 18 yards.

Haynes showed good awareness to set up Nicky Maynard in the first minute of the second-half but Liam Rosenior held firm to force the striker wide.

Town continued to carve out chances though, Stead found space cutting inside from the right but his shot lacked power, Quinn then finding himself in a better position but Gerken beat out the Irishman's effort.

Haynes then thudded a shot against the post in a bright opening to the half after Evander Sno had chested the ball into his path, Elliott seeing an effort deflected wide.

Blues made a first change with John making way for Pablo Counago on 55 minutes.

Haynes went close again on the hour, hitting the other post after Sno put him clear on the right side of the box, Garvan testing Gerken at his near post with a low drive as opportunities opened up at either end.

Town were inches away from opening the scoring on 67 minutes, Leadbitter's shot was flicked goalwards by Counago and Haynes cleared off the line. Carlos Edwards then replacing Stead.

Quinn and Jamie McAllister needed lengthy treatment after a challenge on the edge of the box as the Town man looked to strike.

Walters was booked for kicking the ball away, the Town skipper clearly frustrated he was penalised as he looked to get clear, Bristol making a first change with Ivan Sproule replacing Elliott. The winger immediately booked for a foul on Walters.

Jack Colback replaced Quinn for the last 12 minutes, the Robins making a double change themselves with David Clarkson and Alvaro Saborio on for Haynes and Sno.

Walters set up Counago whose shot was blocked, Sproule diverting the ball wide from a right wing cross as the game entered the last five minutes, Garvan shooting at Gerken then Lee-Barrett standing up to Johnson's effort.

Town should have been ahead on 86 minutes, Leadbitter hit the post and the ball fell into Counago's path but Gerken saved again from six yards with a goal beckoning as Blues were denied a second successive away win, but Roy Keane's side did stretch the unbeaten run to eight games.

Bristol City: Gerken, Skuse, Fontaine, Nyatanga, McAllister, Hartley, Elliott (Sproule 73), Johnson, Sno (Saborio 80), Haynes (Clarkson 80), Maynard. Subs not used: Orr, McCombe, Williams, Henderson. Booked: Elliott, Sproule.

Town: Lee-Barrett, Rosenior, McAuley, Delaney, D.Wright, Walters, Quinn (Colback 78) Leadbitter, Garvan, Stead (Edwards 67), John (Counago 55). Subs not used: Peters, Priskin, McLoughlin, Smith. Booked: Walters.
Att: 14,287