Plymouth Argyle were kept waiting for a place in the First Division by a late strike from Bristol City's Lee Peacock.
They went into a tense West Country derby knowing a win would have all but guaranteed them the Championship, but conscious too that they haven't won at Ashton Gate since 1931.
Caretaker manager Kevin Summerfield opted to pack his midfield, bringing in Canadian Jason Bent and using Micky Evans as his sole frontrunner.
Bent made an early mark on the game and on City winger Scott Murray.
His ninth minute tackle from behind on the winger, 15 yards inside the home half, brought him a yellow card. More importantly it robbed City of the man they were looking to get in behind Plymouth's disciplined defence.
Murray tried to run off the knock, but hobbled off after 25 minutes, a psychological blow from which City took a long time to recover.
Winning control of the midfield Argyle made several chances for themselves in the first half.
One free-kick by Paul Wotton dipped awkwardly in front of City keeper Steve Phillips although he reacted on the bounce to punch a clearance.
Peacock looking for his 16th goal this season had few chances although Luke McCormick once had to dive at his feet before Plymouth's Lee Hodges put in the most telling shot of the half.
City almost snatched the lead when Christian Roberts sent a left-foot shot grazing the top of the bar, after swooping on to a cross from substitute Tony Rougier.
With David Norris dominating the midfield, Plymouth looked like controlling the second half and the Robins were left snatching at chances.
Peacock came in from the right with a fierce volley which rebounded off the bar 20 yards to Mickey Bell. His follow-up shot was blocked on the line by Paul Connolly.
Peacock was now in full flight and gathered in three vital points for City when he broke into the left-hand side of the box with five minutes to go and drilled a low shot past McCormick's right hand.