Bristol City defeat Walsall to clinch Johnstone's Paint Trophy

Bristol City have clinched the Johnstone's Paint Trophy courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Walsall in the 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. Then, minutes later, Marlon Pack saw his effort deflected behind.

City's early pressure told when Aden Flint handed his side the lead, rising above the Walsall defenders in the box to head 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, but his header was poor as he failed to guide it on 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 when the forward was about to pull the trigger after an excellent 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.

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After the break, City doubled their lead when Freeman raided down the left and lifted a pinpoint cross into the box for Mark Little to head past Richard O'Donnell from close range and put his side in command of the match.

Cook came close to getting a goal back for Smith's men when he beat his man down the left and clipped a cross into the middle, which evaded Frank Fielding and smashed off the post before bouncing clear.

City pushed for a third goal to put the game beyond the reach of Walsall, but were denied when O'Donnell made a great reaction save to stop Aaron Wilbraham from finding the net after he headed Little's cross at goal.

The Saddlers pushed to get back into the match late on but were restricted to long-range attempts as the City defence proved to be resolute in the dying minutes to secure the trophy.