Bristol City and Brighton & Hove Albion played out a stalemate in their clash at Ashton Gate.

After a quiet start, good defensive work from Liam Bridcutt and Adam El-Abd allowed Andrea Orlandi to break upfield but his shot from distance was saved by Tom Heaton.

The home side were testing the handling abilities of Tomas Kuszczak as Liam Kelly fired a powerful volley at goal which the keeper again parried and then grabbed the ball before Jon Stead could pounce.

Brendan Moloney came close to giving City the lead as his drilled effort deflected off El-Abd and went just wide of the post.

City were having the better of possession and Paul Anderson carved out a great chance to Marvin Elliott but the striker just couldn't get his shot on target from 20-yards out.

Moloney was in the action again five minutes from time as he teed up Anderson on the edge of the penalty area, but the latter's shot just crept past the post.