Robins face a mountain to climb in second leg after heavy home defeat

BRISTOL City will have an insurmountable task ahead of them if they are to achieve their Premier League dream after a 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final last night gave Liam Manning's side it all to do ahead of Monday's second leg at Bramall Lane.

- Daniel CARTER [e-mail]

The Robins' reward for a sixth-place finish in the regular Championship season, their highest for 17 years, was a play-off semi-final against the Blades, who had finished 22 points higher in third place.

City had their hearts in mouths early on as a long throw from Jack Robinson caused all sorts of problems for the Robins' backline as Tyrese Campbell got a head to the ball ahead of the out-rushing Max O'Leary and into the net but the goal was disallowed by a late offside flag.

The hosts then came close to breaking the deadlock themselves as Joe Williams rattled the crossbar from range after being nicely teed up by Anis Mehmeti.