Gary Johnson watched Bristol City beat Coventry 2-1 on New Year's Day and then saluted his high-flying side for their professional approach.A goal in each half from Darren Byfield and Marvin Elliott made it a happy new year for Johnson's men, despite a strong Coventry fight back in the second half of the Championship clash at Ashton Gate.

Dele Adebola reduced the arrears on 72 minutes and Leon Best should have equalised five minutes from time when he hit a post with only goalkeeper Adriano Basso to beat.

Johnson told Bristol City World: "It's nice to be in the thick of it at the top. It's a great return, but nothing is easy in this game as we proved today.

"It takes good judgement, quality and a little bit of lady luck as well.

"Today we had to work hard. Sometimes the momentum was with us, sometimes it was with them.

"But overall we dictated and - like we did at Burnley on Saturday - saw the game out very professionally."

Sky Blues boss Iain Dowie was frustrated.

"We missed a lot of chances even before that one at the end and should have come away with something," he said.

"Credit Bristol because they deserve to be where they are and Gary Johnson is doing a fantastic job.

"I hope we can bring in some signings during the transfer window. But a lot of Championship clubs are ready to spend big money and it's not easy to bring in the right faces.

"One thing we must do is stop conceding outrageously sloppy goals."

Byfield lashed Bristol in front on five minutes after a David Noble shot had been blocked. And Elliott netted the second with a downward header on 67 minutes after Jamie McCombe had nodded on a right wing corner.

Adebola shot Coventry's goal from a pass by substitute Jay Tabb, but the visitors could not make the most of their second half dominance.

Best had missed a couple of good opportunities soon after the break when Bristol began to rock for the first time.

But the home side rallied again after Adebola's goal and saw the game out very professionally during three minutes of stoppage time.

There is a growing belief at Ashton Gate that Johnson can lead the way to a second successive promotion

His team have been able to enjoy a successful holiday period, despite being without club captain Louis Carey with an Achilles tendon injury.

On this form Coventry should do well under Dowie, but it may take the right transfer deal in the coming weeks to make them a Championship force.

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