Although City overcame Blackpool 2-1 last Saturday, it was not enough to grant them automatic promotion to Division One.

Two first-half goals in two minutes from Welsh striker Christian Roberts counted for nothing as QPR's 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday made certain that it was the London side who clinched second spot, one point ahead of Danny Wilson's men.

At one point during the first half it was City who looked to be heading straight into the First Division, and QPR boss Ian Holloway was furious that Sheffield Wednesday decided to display the score from Ashton Gate on the scoreboard at Hillsborough.

Saturday's results mean that City will face the long trip up to Hartlepool United tomorrow for the first leg of the play-off semi-final. Hartlepool managed to scrape their way into the play-offs when they scored a late equaliser at Swindon Town last weekend. The decisive return leg will be played at Ashton Gate next Wednesday evening.

City will be without Mickey Bell for both clashes against Hartlepool and he will also miss the final, should City reach it, as he suffered damaged knee ligaments during last Saturday's encounter with Blackpool.

The two other teams joining City and Hartlepool in the hunt for the final promotion spot will be Swindon and Brighton and Hove Albion, who play at the County Ground on Sunday. Brighton manager Mark McGhee said last Saturday that: "Bristol City are the best team in the division, regardless of Plymouth and QPR's promotion.

"It is up to the teams in the play-offs to stop them now."

Wilson still remains confident that his side have what it takes to clinch promotion, especially with the experience learnt from last season's defeat at the hands of Cardiff City in the play-off semi-finals. He told the club website: "I think we can draw from last season and we have proved this season that we can beat any team in our division so confidence will be high."