Diamonds see off Robins

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson admitted he is in dire need of strengthening his squad after defeat to Blue Square Premier side Rushden & Diamonds.

Dean McDonald's goal gave the non-league outfit a 1-0 win over the Robins and Johnson insisted afterward that he was on the lookout for more quality in his squad.

He said: "It was another poor game from our point of view.

"We don't like getting beaten in any game but what we are showing ourselves is which players can compete at a higher level and which ones can't.

"We'll have to have a look at that. I think we already knew that we need another two or three new faces.

"We've still got a few injured lads to come in but we need to get a group of 20 Championship players. We're proving at the moment that we haven't got that yet."

Meanwhile, Diamonds boss Garry Hill was delighted with the result.

He told the Evening Telegraph: "It was a very good work-out and the boys did well.

"Bristol City were very strong. You've got to remember they were competing for a place in the Premier League about two months ago in the play-off final at Wembley.

"They played a full first-team squad against us. So, even though people always say results don't really matter in pre-season, this gives us a big boost."