THERE’S certainly been no lack of excitement at Ashton Gate this season and Saturday lived up to expectations with a second consecutive thrilling five-goal encounter for home fans to endure and ultimately enjoy.

City were once again pushed hard by their opponents, this time a plucky Chesterfield side who certainly didn’t lack belief – as you’d expect from a team that were promoted from League Two last season as Champions.

As has been a running theme this season City got off to a flying start. Chesterfield failed to clear their lines and Joe Bryan hit a low, hard cross into the area and Ian Evatt turned the ball into his own net to give City the lead. Bryan had a superb game and on this kind of form it’s a good job he signed a new two-year contract in the summer.

Midway through the first half the visitors were back on level terms. Derek Williams’ clumsy challenge in the penalty area on League One top scorer Eoin Doyle gave the Irishman the chance to level the scores and he made no mistake from 12 yards.

City started the second half as they started the first – on the front foot. Just two minutes after the restart they were back in front with Williams redeeming himself by heading in a Freeman corner.

But as in the game against Milton Keynes a fortnight ago, the away side levelled up with Doyle getting his 14th goal of the season, finishing from close range. In the build-up to the goal City youngster Wes Burns failed to track his man but the Welsh under-21 international was going to make amends in style.

With barely 90 seconds of injury time remaining Little and Elliott combined on the right flank and the latter crossed the ball into the box. Burns was lurking on the penalty spot and thrashed an unstoppable shot past Margreitter in the Chesterfield goal to make it 3-2 and send the Ashton Gate faithful home jubilant.

Top of the table City travel to the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on Saturday to face the Sky Blues.