Aden Flint headed in his fourth goal for Bristol City

Second-half goals from Aden Flint and Greg Cunningham earned Bristol City victory over Scunthorpe United and took them second in the League One table.

Gary McSheffrey went close for the struggling visitors early on with a thumping strike that hit the far post.

But the Robins took the lead when Flint nodded Luke Freeman's corner back across goal and into the net.

The points were wrapped up when Cunningham ran on to Korey Smith's pass and drilled the ball in from the left.

Scunthorpe, who have now lost four of their six league games, drop to third from bottom.

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Bristol:

Media playback is not supported on this device Cotterill on Bristol City v Scunthorpe

"I thought that they were going to be a tough nut to crack, they came here with a few injuries and ended up having two full-backs to try stop Mark Little.

"They ended up with a back six - the back four defended within the 18 yard box, plus the two wide men.

"It wasn't about going around them, we actually needed to go through the middle of them which we did for the corner that got the goal.

"We are pleased that in the second half our performance was upped a lot, but in the first half we needed to think about that situation because we may get that a few more times."

Scunthorpe United manager Russ Wilcox told BBC Radio Humberside:

Media playback is not supported on this device Wilcox on Scunthorpe v Bristol City

"First and foremost I've got to say Bristol City are a top, top team and I think they showed that in patches today but I think we showed what we're about.

"We just needed that first goal and we've just got to be a bit more ruthless in both boxes.

"It's been a long four weeks to be honest. There's players out there for us who have played nine games in four weeks and I've moaned about the schedule and I think it showed today in the last fifteen minutes."