Aden Flint has handed Bristol City a 1-0 half-time lead against Walsall in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.
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Steve Cotterill's men had a fast start to the match as Luke Freeman turned his man on the edge of the box, but his strike went just over the bar. Minutes later, Marlon Pack saw his effort deflected behind.
City's early pressure told when Flint handed his side the lead by rising above the Walsall defenders in the box and heading Freeman's corner with power into the back of the net.
Dean Smith's side could have hit back as Anthony Forde raided down the left and managed to dig out a cross to the near post, where Jordan Cook peeled off his man only to guide a header off target from close range.
City were denied a second goal by a good challenge from James Chambers as he stopped Kieran Agard in his tracks down the left, just as the forward was about to pull the trigger after a strong surging run into the area.
Walsall threatened just before the break when City failed to clear the danger from a cross into the box and Andy Taylor met the ball first time on the volley, only to see his strike sail inches over the crossbar.
Simon Sinclair
