Cotterill: We were superb

Steve Cotterill insisted Bristol City were worthy winners against Notts County despite only securing a 2-1 victory late on.

Trailing to Zeli Ismail's first-half strike, the Robins turned the game around with Aaron Wilbraham equalising on the hour mark before Jay-Emmanuel Thomas sealed a 2-1 win with a stoppage-time penalty. The visitors created chances before the winner with Luke Freeman's free-kick hitting the post while Wilbraham also had a goal ruled out for offside. And with the win moving histeam up to third in the league, Cotterill insisted his side had been the stronger outfit. "I thought it was a really good game, although we were the better team. We were excellent and to go in a goal down at half time was a travesty really," he said. "We dominated the ball and just had to be aware of being caught on the counter attack and we were caught out. "But over the 90 minutes, I thought we were superb. We were fantastic and this is a tough place to come because Shaun (Derry) has got his team working very hard. "We were denied a goal for offside when it was a fantastic pass to Aaron who was clearly onside. The penalty was also a penalty and I've seen it again to make doubly sure. There is a trip. Luke Freeman knows it's coming and gets his toe to it first. "There was added pressure because everybody had played on Saturday but we were really pleased with our performance and it could and should have been more." Notts County, meanwhile, remain 10th and manager Shaun Derry admitted the late penalty, after a foul by Curtis Thompson on Freeman, had been tough to take. "I've watched the penalty decision seven or eight times and I still can't work out whether it is a penalty or not," he said. "So if I've seen it that amount of times and I've looked at the angle of the ref, who is about 35 metres away, with three bodies in front of him, then, you know, make up your own mind. "I'm devastated to lose in that manner because we've played a team with a huge amount of resources and are probably favourites to be promoted. "The fact we have given them a game is a testament to where we are. We had to battle and we aren't a team who can spend four, five, six, or seven thousand a week on players. "We have to find a way of affecting the game and aside from the Fleetwood loss we've done that. That's the type of side we are. We are organised, we have character and we do have ability to go with it." Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts