Bristol City fans' panel: Reaction to derby victory over Bristol Rovers in Football League Trophy

Although the importance of this competition overall is questionable, there was no doubting the importance of securing the bragging rights over our closest and most bitter rivals.

It was a game played in a loud and hostile atmosphere at Ashton Gate in front of nearly 18,000 fans and it was City who started the better and dominated the opening 20 minutes.

Emmanuel-Thomas broke the deadlock for the home side on 12 minutes with an audacious 30-yard effort that flew past Mildenhall in the Rovers goal. Mildenhall would go on to keep his side in the game by making a great save from Harewood.

Reid also went close for City with a delicate chip that came off the crossbar. The first half was most definitely City’s and the only worry was that yet again we had failed to kill a team off when we were so dominant.

The second half began with Rovers showing more intent; they were never going to be as poor as they were in the first half. City remain susceptible to set-pieces and sure enough Rovers took advantage with McChrystal heading in from a Brown delivery to level the score.

In a tense finish a young Bristolian, Bryan, stole the headlines with a fine finish into the top corner following Mildenhall’s parrying of an Emmanuel-Thomas effort. Bryan was again an outstanding performer in the City side and showed great maturity in a controlled finish where others would’ve blasted it.

City have been drawn away at Wycombe in the next round and this competition will now attract little interest from City fans unless we make it all the way to Wembley.

It is now imperative that we convert our cup form into the league, where we are still without a win. Peterborough United are the visitors to Ashton Gate this Saturday (3pm) before Shrewsbury Town come to Bristol the following Tuesday (7.45pm) for a game that was rearranged due to international call-ups.

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