BRISTOL CITY's hopes of promotion were shattered in the 84th minute by Brighton and Hove Albion's Leon Knight at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

Knight struck the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to secure the Seagulls' First Division status for next season.

In the first half, Knight had already troubled City, when his free-kick rattled against the crossbar.

The penalty, in the second half, came as a result of a clumsy challenge from Danny Coles on Brighton player Chris Iwelumo. Knight stepped up to send the ball to Steve Phillips' right and condemn City to another year in Division Two.

City had the better of the first half, and came close through a Brian Tinnion free-kick. However this was City's only shot on target in the whole game, as they failed to create any real pressure on the Brighton goal. Even the extremely vocal 35,000 City supporters who had made the trip over the Severn could not lift their side.

The Robins had not lost to a top six side all season until Sunday, and had already beaten Brighton 4-1 in November. In the league, the Sussex side finished five points below City, but it is they who will be playing alongside the likes of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest next season.

City then chose to release five players following Sunday's defeat. Tony Rougier, Marvin Brown, Scott Brown, Darren Caskey and Lee Matthews did not have their contracts renewed. In order to balance the books City have had to release so many players which they probably would not have had to do had Sunday's result been different. Rougier was the only player of the five who made an appearance at Millennium on Sunday.

It was better news for City fans to hear that seven players have been offered new contracts. These players include Lee Peacock, Aaron Brown, Joe Burnell, Matt Hill, Craig Woodman, Mickey Bell and Louis Carey.