Steve Cotterill: 'Bristol City battered Crewe Alexandra'

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill is adamant that his team "battered" Crewe Alexandra, despite losing 1-0 against League One's bottom side.

Derrick Williams was sent off for the Robins before Jamie Ness condemned the leaders to defeat at Gresty Road.

While admitting that Williams deserved his red card, Cotterill has insisted that his team deserved to beat the Railwaymen.

He told reporters: "We battered them. We were the better side with ten men. They couldn't live with us.

"They've got out of jail today. They didn't deserve anything. The referee had a poor game. It's been spoilt as a spectacle.

"Derrick deserved to be sent off. He was stupid to go to ground. He'll be fined for that."

City remain one point ahead of three teams tied on 41 points – MK Dons, Swindon Town and Preston North End.