City: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Higginbotham, Duberry, Griffin, Lawrence, Russell, Diao (Brammer, 80), Hendrie (Berger, 86), Sidibe, Fuller (Pericard, 72).Subs Not Used: Buxton, Sweeney.

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Rehman, Mancienne, Milanese, Gallen, Rowlands (Ward, 87), Smith, Bailey, Blackstock (Furlong, 70), Nygaard (Baidoo, 90).Subs Not Used: Bircham, Cole.

More clean sheets than a Chinese laundry as City stretched their defensive impregnability to seven matches!

And a first half penalty was enough to give them the three points and lift them to fifth place in the Championship.

Danny Higginbotham's third goal from the spot this season separated the sides, but the Potters were in charge for almost all of the ninety minutes and the win was more comfortable than the score might suggest, with two good chances being spurned.

With Liam Lawrence passed fit and Ricardo Fuller available, City were able to play Lee Hendrie on the left, meaning that Patrik Berger starting on the bench against an inconsistent but free-scoring Queen's Park Rangers side who were hoping to extend their good run of results at the Britannia in recent years.

The visitors lined up in what was for them an unusual formation of three central defenders in a clear ploy to try to thwart the City attack.  It was a strategy which succeeded in protecting their 'keeper for much of the match, but one which often left their strikers isolated, with the result that they managed hardly one serious opportunity on City's goal.

Faced with these tactics, City failed to take an early opportunity to take the lead after nine minutes when Carl Hoefkens and Fuller combined well on the right for the full-back to cut back the ball to Hendrie, who from ten yards out hit his right foot shot too near to 'keeper Simon Royce, allowing him to make a good parry.

City, however, were not to be disappointed for long, taking the lead after fifteen minutes with a goal which owed much to the strength and persistence of Fuller, who harried Mauro Milanese into losing possession on left hand side of the defence, with the result that the frustrated defender was forced to bring him down.

Danny Higginbotham stepped up to smash the resulting penalty down the middle of the goal as Royce moved to his right for his fifth goal of his impressive first season with the club.

The fans expected the Potters to consolidate their lead, with Mamady Sidibe winning a series of flick-ons, but with the visitors playing a high back line,  Fuller was too often caught off-side, though one audacious attempt from the corner flag after Royce had rushed out of his goal almost brought success.

The visitors hardly offered a threat, with Steve Simonsen only having to make one serious save when he went down bravely to a right-wing cross.

The City defence again were solid, and with Salif Diao playing with his usual calm authority in front of them, they didn't look like conceding a goal.

At the other end, Dexter Blackstock headed just over his own bar and Michael Duberry volleyed high and wide from a Hendrie corner, but half-time came with City, although comfortable, still lacking the penetration needed to bring the second goal which would have made the game safe.

The visitors came more into the game after the break as City started to fall back and concede too much possession, but Simonsen was still grossly under-employed.

A curling free-kick from Milanese, assisted by the swirling wind was the nearest QPR came to threatening the goal before Darel Russell burst through only to delay his shot and be tackled.

The veteran Paul Furlong was introduced by QPR in their attempt to get on terms, but in a short period of an increased tempo by City, Andy Griffin saw a shot cleared.

There were, however, few clear-cut chances as driving rain began to fall, making conditions difficult, especially for the Potters, who were facing the downpour.

Dave Brammer, Vincent Pericard and Berger were introduced as the minutes ticked away, and the latter two combined for what could and should have been the second goal in the last minute of normal time when the Czech international crossed for the striker who was unable to convert from a few yards out.

When the final whistle blew, the fans gave Andy Griffin a rousing send-off at the end of his loan spell, and will be hoping that he will seal a permanent move when the transfer window opens in the New Year.

Not only his tackling, but his ability to read the game and constructive use of the ball have been instrumental in giving a new dimension to City's back four, whose ability to play the ball out of defence has been a feature of recent matches.  Let's hope that we shall see the accomplished left-back again in January.

In the meantime. a tricky visit to surprise package Colchester (including a rejuvenated Chris Iwelumo) awaits, followed by a another long trip to Ipswich, before City appear again at the Britannia on Boxing Day.

A continuation of the Scrooge-like defending would be most welcome in the run-up to the festive season!

Bob James