Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Bristol City

Bobby Zamora is in his second spell with Brighton

Bobby Zamora scored a late winner as Brighton came from behind to beat Bristol City and maintain their unbeaten start in the Championship.

The substitute fired a low 15-yard shot into the right corner eight minutes from time, moments after coming on.

Left-back Derrick Williams gave City a first-half lead with a cool left-foot volley from Jonathan Kodjia's pass.

Sam Baldock tapped home Bruno's right-wing cross after the break to level before Zamora's fine strike.

The 34-year-old, who also netted an 89th-minute goal to earn Brighton a 2-1 victory at Leeds on Saturday, gave City goalkeeper Frank Fielding little chance with the sweetest of left-foot shots.

However, Steve Cotterill's visitors had strong claims for a penalty waved away early in the second half.

Midfielder Luke Freeman appeared to be brought down by Uwe Hunemeier in the box, but the former Stevenage man was instead booked for diving.

Championship leaders Brighton, who are now unbeaten in 12 games, were made to pay after a slow start when the lively Kodjia jinked past a couple of defenders and floated a pinpoint cross to Williams who slotted home first time.

Baldock almost equalised for the hosts before half-time when he raced clear and lifted the ball over Fielding, but Luke Ayling got back brilliantly to clear off the line.

However, the striker eventually netted his second goal of the season - against his former club - with a neat finish from six yards.

Home goalkeeper David Stockdale kept things level with a magnificent one-handed save from French forward Kodjia, before Zamora earned Chris Hughton's side their eighth win of the season.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton:

"Bobby [Zamora] has the experience and the quality and you can see how he uses his experience to pick out positions in the box.

"That's what he does and he has adapted his game. It was great to celebrate the winner as there was a lot of emotion in the game.

"But we can make sure matches are more comfortable for ourselves. That is one area where we can improve. At half-time we should have been winning."

Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill:

"It was a nailed-on penalty and to book the player made it worse. The yellow card was an insult.

"Luke Freeman is not experienced enough to look for a dive. It is not in his thoughts and it beggars belief really.

"The keeper David Stockdale had the biggest impact for Brighton and that says a lot about our team. Some of our football was every bit as good as Brighton's."

Sam Baldock nets Brighton's leveller

Derrick Williams celebrates scoring the opener for Bristol City with captain Aaron Wilbraham

Chris Hughton's Brighton are four points clear at the top of the Championship