Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill has claimed that his side faced a tough game against Port Vale, despite beating the Staffordshire outfit 3-1 at Ashton Gate.

The Robins moved four points clear at the top of League One after Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Joe Bryan and Matt Smith scored, but Cotterill is adamant that his team were made to work for the three points.

He is quoted by the club's official Twitter account as saying: "It was a tough game tonight but I knew that would be the case. It's difficult when you've come off the back of a big game like MK Dons.

"Some of our football was outstanding, there just wasn't enough of it. We started a little bit sloppy and our passing wasn't as crisp at that point.

"I'm disappointed with the goal conceded, but perhaps we didn't deserve a clean sheet."

City have now won six times in their last seven outings.