High-flying City were given a reality check as two defensive errors allowed Bristol City to snatch victory at the Ricoh Arena.

A first-half strike from Michael McIndoe, a second-half own goal from goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos and a late effort from substitute Darren Byfield condemned the Sky Blues to their first defeat of the season in disappointing fashion.

Both goals came from defensive mistakes and despite going close through debutant Arjan De Zeeuw, injury-hit City struggled to break through a stubborn Robins rearguard.

Boss Iain Dowie was forced into two changes before the game, with new club captain De Zeeuw replacing the injured Isaac Osbourne with Marcus Hall switching to right-back.

Summer signing Ellery Cairo also made his first start for the club on the right-wing and Jay Tabb shifting out to the left in the absence of Julian Gray.

Cairo was at the heart of a bright start for the Sky Blues, the Dutchman's teasing cross almost reaching a prowling Dele Adebola in the danger area.

Tireless work from Leon McKenzie created almost resulted in a goal moments later as the striker dispossessed Jamie McAllister but shot straight at Adriano Basso from an acute angle before the Bristol City 'keeper reacted quickly to smother at the feet of Adebola from the rebound.

City looked in control of the game and an opening goal looked likely. It arrived in the 15^th minute, but not at the expected end.

Elliott Ward dallied on the ball in the six-yard box and McIndoe nicked the ball from the defender's feet and drilled a low shot under a helpless Dimi Konstantopoulos to give the visitors an underserved lead.

And with the Sky Blues still reeling from that, Bristol City almost doubled their lead moments later but Ivan Sproule dragged a low effort wide after finding space to shoot in the area.

But that sparked City into life and a long-range drive from Stephen Hughes which drifted narrowly wide of the target began a barrage of attacks.

The best chance of the half arrived on the half-hour mark when De Zeeuw leaped above Basso to a ball into the box but his header was hacked off the line by Bradley Orr.

Michael Doyle's fierce 25-yarder then stung the goalkeeper's fingers before a looping header from Adebola dipped just over the crossbar.

Play continued to ebb and flow in the second-half with Jay Tabb sending a volley over the bar and Cairo forcing Basso to race off his and block after the lively winger nipped past two defenders.

Substitute Robbie Simpson injected some energy into a tiring front-line and he almost found the net when a deflected cross was pushed away by Basso in the 72^nd minute.

Bristol City had rarely threatened up to that point, but Gary Johnson's men found themselves further ahead two minutes later.

An corner from McIndoe bounced in the six-yard box amidst a melee of players and somehow found the back of the net via Konstantopoulos.

It was a huge sucker-punch for City, who had looked good for an equaliser, and it could have been much worse soon after when Murray evaded the offside trap and rounded Konstantopoulos, only for the 'keeper to spread himself well and turn the ball around for a corner.

Simpson fired straight at Basso from a tight angle as the home side set off in hope of a late revival, but the visitors stood firm tand snatch a third goal in the dying seconds when Byfield raced clear and fired into the roof of the net.