Bristol City edged closer to automatic promotion after Luke Ayling's late goal saw the League One leaders beat Crawley Town.

The relegation-threatened Sussex club started the game well as a flick on from Mathias Pogba presented Izale McLeod with the chance to shoot, but the forward failed to trouble keeper Frank Fielding.

Kieran Agard saw his shot blocked midway through the first half as the Robins look subdued before the interval.

Pogba himself had an effort blocked by the Robins defence before Lee Fowler's shot was also repelled by the visiting defence, but Crawley were unable to convert their industry into attempts on target.

They were made to pay just after the break when Aden Flint rose highest to meet Ayling's cross before beating Price from close range.

City had been denied moments before that when Luke Freeman's effort was kept out by the Crawley keeper as the leaders looked a changed team after the interval.

The hosts showed some fight as Anthony Wordsworth chested down Pogba's pass before finding the top corner of Fielding's net on the hour mark.

However, City snatched victory with six minutes remaining when Ayling headed Freeman's cross past Price from six yards out to see the Robins stay 10 points clear of second-placed Preston North End.