Derek McInnes backed to save Bristol City after seventh straight defeat

Bristol City 0 Charlton Athletic 2

Tony Docherty, the Bristol City assistant manager, denied that Derek McInnes was under pressure following a seventh successive Championship defeat. McInnes, the manager, ducked his post-match press conference at Ashton Gate after overseeing the latest setback in a wretched run that equals an unwanted club record.

After seeing goals from Danny Haynes and Michael Morrison give Charlton a comfortable win, Docherty was in bullish mood: "We are not worried about the future because we believe in the players. The club was in a worse position when we took over last season and we battled our way out of it. That will happen again. The powers that be at the club have indicated they are behind us and there is no harder- working manager than Derek.

"I am convinced we will turn things around. We have the attacking players to score goals, and just need to work even harder on the training ground to achieve that elusive clean sheet.The players are disappointed and it was a poor day for us. But as a club we know how to get out of tight spots and one win could set us in the right direction."

Charlton went ahead in the 20th minute when Dale Stephens hit both posts with a shot from the edge of the box, allowing Haynes to net the rebound against his old club. City continued to look vulnerable, and the decisive second goal in the 57th minute was down to poor defending as Morrison was allowed to wriggle clear in the box to shoot past Tom Heaton.

Chris Powell, the Charlton manager, was thrilled to register back-to-back victories for the first time since winning promotion. "It was the complete performance as far as we were concerned," he said. "It's the first time this season we have been able to say that.

"City were desperate for the points themselves, so I am thrilled we competed so well. It is a result and a performance to build on."

Bristol City (4-4-2): Heaton; Foster,J Wilson, Fontaine, Briggs; Adomah, Elliott; Kilkenny (Pearson, 70), Woolford; Taylor (Stead, 57), Baldock (Davies, 57). Substitutes not used: Gerken (gk), L Carey, Anderson, Bryan.

Charlton Athletic (4-4-2): Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Seaborne; Pritchard, Stephens, Kerkar (Taylor, 90), Jackson; Hulse (Fuller, 86), Haynes (Dervite, 78).

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands).