BRISTOL City manager Gary Johnson has called on his side to 'improve' after the Robins slipped to yet another result against Preston.
Despite controlling most of the first half, City were unable to stave off defeat and conceded a goal after half an hour to the hosts. Michael McIndoe had several efforts which were saved by Richard Lonergan and Nicky Maynard was also denied by the Preston keeper in the first fourty-five minutes.
In the second half City's confidence was immediately dented by a goal from Ross Wallace who's 20 yard effort was deflected in by Louis Carey. Even the introduction of Lee Trundle and pushing Jamie McCombe upfront for the last ten minutes was not enough to help the visitors back in the game as the North End eased home to a convincing 2-0 win, which put them in the playoff places.
City boss Gary Johnson has told his side they need to improve if they plan to keep pace with the top sides in the division, he told the BBC,
"We've found ourselves dropping down the league a little bit and we'll have to work very hard over the next four or five games before Christmas.
"We created early chances, like we did in the Watford game on Tuesday, but we didn't take them.
"We're not having a great deal of luck but we were also too powder-puff in our finishing.
"If you don't take your chances when they come along in the Championship then the opposition teams are good enough to put you under pressure and make you pay."
The result leaves City going into this week's game against Ipswich sitting in 14th place.