West Ham United overcame the challenge of Bristol City to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup this afternoon.
The League One hosts created the better chances during the first half, but they were unable to convert any of them.
They were then duly punished nine minutes from time when Hammers substitute Diafra Sakho headed in the tie's only goal via the underside of the crossbar.
Find out how the encounter unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text updates below.
Afternoon all. Well, yesterday certainly showed us that the spirit of the FA Cup is alive and well! What will today have in store? Here, we will be seeing if Bristol City can cause another fourth-round upset at the expense of Sam Allardyce's West Ham United.
First, though, let's take a look at the two starting lineups at Ashton Gate, beginning with the home side...
BRISTOL CITY XI: Fielding; Little, Bryan, Ayling, Flint; Williams, K Smith, Saville, Freeman; M Smith, Emmanuel-Thomas
BRISTOL CITY SUBS: Richards, Osborne, Cunningham, Wagstaff, Elliott, Pack, Agard
The bad news for the home side is that striker Aaron Wilbraham has failed to shake off a hip injury to feature, but Kieran Agard is at least fit enough to start the tie on the bench. James Tavernier is cup-tied, having played for his parent club Wigan Athletic in the previous round, but fellow loanee Matt Smith starts up front alongside Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
Talking of Emmanuel-Thomas, he has been identified as City's key player this afternoon by former Manchester United defender and now pundit Danny Higginbotham:
And now moving on to the Premier League visitors...
WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Noble, Song, Nolan, Downing; Carroll, Valencia
WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Poyet, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Sakho, Cole
Well, there is no chance of Allardyce taking his hosts lightly it would seem. The only change from last time out against Hull City has seen centre-back James Collins sidelined through injury, with the Welshman being replaced by Winston Reid at the heart of the defence. Aside from that, the likes of Alex Song, Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Enner Valencia are all included.
Talking of Allardyce, here is what he said about this tie to reporters on Friday morning: "Bristol City are doing well at the moment in League One. Several Premier League teams have struggled against lower league opposition.
"It's all about the attitude of our players. They need to rise to the occasion. I don't have a problem playing my full strength team as we've got a full week until our next league game."
Meanwhile, Allardyce's opposite number - Steve Cotterill - told the club's official website: "Outside of our dressing room the pressure is off. We have to have a certain amount of belief in ourselves because otherwise we may as well not turn up.
"We know we have to play to our maximum and potentially they have to have an off day. We may need a little bit of luck, we know that, but these things can happen in the FA Cup."
We all know that West Ham are having a good season under Allardyce, sitting in seventh in the Premier League. But how have Bristol City fared this term? They are second in League One, level on points with leaders Swindon Town. They are on an unbeaten run of seven games in all competitions and have not conceded a goal in any of their last three outings, scoring eight during that time.
PREDICTION: So, what's going to happen today? In a way, yesterday's results have probably made this even more difficult for Bristol City. Not that West Ham weren't going to take this tie seriously, but now they will doubly switched on to avoid an upset. Let's go 2-0 to the Premier League side, with goals coming from Downing and Carroll.
The players are out on the pitch and the pre-match handshakes have taken place. We will be underway at Ashton Gate shortly.
KICKOFF! Visiting West Ham, who will attack from left to right in the first half, get us off and running. The home fans are making plenty of noise, which could well inspire the players.
First bit of pressure from the home side as Matt Smith pounces on a loose ball inside the West Ham area. Having taken a touch, the big striker goes for goal, but Tomkins is in bravely to block.
OFF THE LINE! More good work from Matt Smith, this time in a creative sense as he floats over a cross from the left. Emmanuel-Thomas looks interested, but Tomkins once again shows good defensive awareness to head clear the danger. From the resultant corner, Smith's goalbound header is cleared off the line by Noble. Great start by the League One side.
From full-back, Little is causing West Ham plenty of problems in these opening exchanges. Another positive run forward saw Cresswell turn the ball behind for a corner, which came to nothing.
Meanwhile, up the other end, City goalkeeper Frankie Fielding has shown some good awareness in racing off his line to beat Nolan to the ball. He had to get the timing right, otherwise it could well have been a penalty to the away side.
CHANCE! Best opening of the match so far as Bryan exchanges passes with Emmanuel-Thomas inside the West Ham area. The angle is against the wing-back, but he drills an effort right across the face of Adrian's goal, yet none of his teammates can get there for a certain tap-in.
OFF THE LINE! Has Carroll used his hand?! The home side think so as he somehow turns Matt Smith's powerful header from a corner over the bar. It's hard to tell from the replays, but his hand was certainly near the ball. The referee isn't interested, though, and gives a corner. So close for City again.
We've just been treated to two more replays of that Carroll clearance and it's still difficult to be certain what happened. He did head it over the bar, but it appears that it may have struck his arm just beforehand.
A slightly worrying moment for West Ham as Reid ends up in a heap following a sliding challenge from Emmanuel-Thomas. The centre-back took a big knock to his ankle, but he's now up, albeit moving a little gingerly.
Courtesy of Bristol City's official Twitter page, here's a shot of Smith being denied the opening goal by Noble:
It's been a frustrating afternoon for the West Ham fans that have made the trip so far. Their side are playing a lot of long balls, but few have found the intended target.
SAVE! Then, just as I say that, West Ham create a chance! The ball is worked out wide on the right to Jenkinson, who sends over a low cross. Carroll beats Flint to the ball, but his effort is by no means the cleanest and Fielding is able to collect with ease.
After a bright start, this half is almost stuttering towards a conclusion. Both sides are having spells in possession, but the two goalkeepers have had rather quiet afternoons so far.
There will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
HALF-TIME: BRISTOL CITY 0-0 WEST HAM
There goes the whistle, which brings an end to a goalless first half at Ashton Gate. Cotterill is likely to be the happier of the two managers during the break.
So, why will Cotterill be so content? First and foremost, his side have played well. They've looked to get the ball down whenever possible and have attacked with pace down the flanks. Of course, they are using the physical presence of Matt Smith and the big striker is unlucky to have not scored at least one goal. Also, up the other end, they've kept their defensive shape and concentration. They haven't scored, though - no doubt Cotterill is hoping that it won't come back to haunt them.
As for West Ham, they were disappointing for most of that half. There was too much long ball, most of which was overhit and easily cleared. The likes of Downing and Valencia have struggled to get involved - trying to control lofted passes is not their game. They could also do with a bit more pace on the pitch, maybe from Amalfitano or Sakho off the bench.
MATCH ACTION! Before the tie gets back underway, here's a shot of Emmanuel-Thomas and Noble battling for possession:
RESTART! Hosting City get us back underway at Ashton Gate, with neither side having made a change.
It's been a very scrappy start to the second half, with both teams being wasteful in possession. The possession has mainly belonged to West Ham, but they have not caused any worries to Fielding in the home net.
Talking to BBC Sport, here is what former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy believes Allardyce should do to swing the tie West Ham's way:
"I think Sam Allarydce could change formation for the second half. I think he might go 4-5-1, with Andy Carroll up top, just to try and shore the game up. Allardyce will be happy to take a draw and a replay back at Upton Park. Too many of the West Ham players have not been at it."
A change is coming up for West Ham, with two players looking like they will enter the action...
WEST HAM SUBS: And here come those alterations, with Valencia and Song coming off to be replaced by Sakho and Amalfitano. Song certainly did not look best pleased to see his number flash up on the fourth official's board!
This tie could really do with a goal now. It's been a poor start to the half by both teams, which has killed the atmosphere inside Ashton Gate. The fans need something to lift them.
CHANCE! Good stuff from Downing, who takes the game to the Bristol defence with a positive run across the face of the box. Having played a one-two with Nolan, the West Ham midfielder goes for goal, but his effort is always rising. Nevertheless, at least it was a sign of intent.
Better from West Ham as Jenkinson threads a pass down the line for Downing, who gallops after it. His cross from the byline is dangerous, but Carroll mistimes his jump and despite Nolan and Sakho also being in the box, Korey Smith is able to clear the danger.
CHANCE! That's the first we've seen of Matt Smith for a long while as Bryan whips over a cross from the left. The City striker is up above Reid, but he powers his header over the bar. On reflection, he really should have been heading the ball downwards.
OFF THE BAR! Fantastic work from Sakho, who has awoken everyone from their slumber! He cuts inside from the left and then strikes the ball on the bounce. Fielding is beaten, but the City goalkeeper is rescued by his crossbar. What a goal that would have been!
BRISTOL CITY SUB: First change of the encounter for the home side as Little comes off to be replaced by Scott Wagstaff.
BOOKING! And now we have our first yellow card of the afternoon. Bryan and Nolan go sliding in, with the West Ham skipper getting there too late. He's rightly cautioned, despite his protests.
BOOKING! Nolan is soon joined in the book by his midfield partner Noble, who pulled back Freeman as the City midfielder looked to launch an attack.
GOAL! BRISTOL CITY 0-1 WEST HAM (SAKHO)
Just when a replay looked on the cards, it seems that West Ham are heading through. Carroll does well initially to cross from the byline towards the back post. An unmarked Sakho times his jump perfectly and he is able to squeeze in his headed effort with the help of the underside crossbar. A smart substitution from Allardyce, that's for sure.
BRISTOL CITY SUB: Cotterill reacts to his side falling behind by taking off Freeman and throwing on Marlon Pack.
What a good signing Sakho has been for West Ham. Has he scored the winning goal here, though? City are running out of time.
WEST HAM SUB: Final change for West Ham and it's a defensive one. Guy Demel, making only his second appearance since September, replaces Nolan. The captain's armband has been passed to Noble.
The home side have three minutes of stoppage time to salvage themselves a replay.
FULL TIME: BRISTOL CITY 0-1 WEST HAM
There goes the final whistle as West Ham ensure that they don't join the list of Premier League FA Cup casualties this weekend. It was a spirited display from the League One hosts, but they came up short.
That is all we have time for from Ashton Gate, but before I go, let me point in you in the direction of Sports Mole's live text coverage of the FA Cup encounter between Brighton and Arsenal at the Amex. Thanks for joining us and until next time, goodbye.
