Ivan Sproule's injury-time time goal ensured Bristol City continued their surge up the Coca-Cola Championship table with a narrow win over Southampton in a pulsating match at Ashton Gate.

After early chances for Gavin Williams and a missed Bradley Orr penalty, Saints hit the post twice before the hosts took a deserved lead.

Veteran striker Dele Adebola got the opener, latching on to a deft Williams chip to slip the ball past Kelvin Davis in the 34th minute.

The second goal came at the death as Davis went up for a corner and then watched helplessly as Ivan Sproule ran the length of the pitch to score.

The defeat leaves Saints stranded in the relegation zone while Bristol City extended their unbeaten league run to nine.

City began brightly and Williams twice went close inside the first five minutes but his spectacular 30-yard volley and ferocious drive were both well saved by Davis.

New Southampton coach Mark Wotte has emphasised experience over youth since taking over from the departed Jan Poortvliet at the end of January and recalled Jason Euell, Morgan Schneiderlin and Rudi Skacel to his side against the Robins.

But it was veteran Czech midfielder Skacel who was guilty of over-eagerness when he hauled down Nicky Maynard in the area to give away a 14th-minute penalty.

Usually dependable full-back Orr stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort was superbly saved by Davis.

Gary Johnson's Robins refused to let their momentum slip and were soon threatening again as livewire striker Maynard turned his man before dragging his shot a foot wide from the edge of the area.

Somehow the scoreline continued to remain goalless as Southampton's Schneiderlin rattled the post following a free-flowing counter-attack before Adebola had his tame effort saved after a wonderfully intricate passing move from the home side.

Finally the deadlock was broken when targetman Adebola caught the Saints defence napping as he latched on to Williams' lofted throughball before slotting past Davis to make it 1-0.

The visitors refused to capitulate and once again hit the woodwork when Euell's 25-yard effort came back off the upright and he could not keep the follow-up down.

Wotte's Saints came out of the tunnel for the second half rejuvenated and looked a shadow of the team who were dominated in the opening period and it was veteran Euell who should have equalised.

Substitute Kayne McLaggon's 72nd-minute thunderbolt could only be palmed away by Robins keeper Adriano Basso, and when Adam Lallana's cross found Euell six yards out, the former Middlesbrough forward was left with a simple tap in but his skewed effort bobbled wide.

And the Saints were cruelly punished for their late cavalier attitude when the pacey Sproule ran the length of the pitch before placing the ball into an empty net.

Teams:

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, McAllister, Williams (Iriekpen 90), Johnson, Skuse, McIndoe (Sproule 60), Adebola (Styvar 72), Maynard.

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Murray.

Booked: Fontaine, Orr, Williams.

Goals: Adebola 34, Sproule 90.

Southampton Davis, James, Perry, Saeijs, Skacel, Wotton (Gillett 83), Schneiderlin (Lallana 65), Surman, Euell, Saganowski (McLaggon 69), McGoldrick.

Subs Not Used: Forecast, Liptak.

Booked: Skacel, Surman, Schneiderlin.

Att: 17,000

Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).