Robins fired up for crucial tests

THE HEAT is on at the top of the Sky Bet League One table, but Bristol City appear to have the stomach for what promises to be a tense promotion battle.

Preston’s 2-0 win at Leyton Orient was the eighth in a row for Simon Grayson’s side and pushed them to within two points of the Robins with a game in hand.

After taking on an Athletic side proudly boasting a 13-game unbeaten streak of their own, the Ashton Gate club enter a crucial period fixture-wise.

Bristol City’s next three league matches after Saturday’s heavily-anticipated battle — so much so, that the visiting ticket allocation of 490 had sold out by Tuesday afternoon — are Swindon (away), Preston (home) and Peterborough (away).

It really is crunch time. But for nine-goal striker Aaron Wilbraham, in the midst of an Indian summer in a career which started at Stockport and has since spanned 17 years, the way the team clawed their way back from adversity last time out bodes well for the challenges in store.

Steve Cotterill’s men were 2-1 down to Barnsley at Oakwell with only 13 minutes left when Wilbraham struck, extending the club’s unbeaten run to 21 league matches dating back to March 29.

The Robins are the Football League’s most prolific scorers, hitting three goals in a game seven times in the last 10 fixtures in league and cup.

Korey Smith has been one of the stand-out performers since leaving Athletic, operating at the base of a trio in central midfield.

Behind him, imposing 6ft 5in centre-back Aden Flint has enjoyed a productive season, while to Smith’s left Luke Freeman — a six-figure summer signing from Stevenage — has proven to be a smart capture, with his technique invaluable in providing chances for the front two.

With Sam Baldock having left to sign for Brighton in a near-£2million deal, Kieran Agard has arrived from Rotherham and has produced six goals to date for the Robins.