Football can be a funny old game at times.
We get sunshine in Stoke, an away win and a clean sheet, an exciting ruckus and a late winner from a cross that was aiming for the back post. Not a bad day's work.
It wasn't exactly a great advert for the Championship or the neutrals but those 728 away fans who crammed themselves into the corner at Stoke or others watching at home, they wouldn't have had it any other way.
City were disciplined and organised limiting the hosts to just a number of opportunities and despite a theatrical diving save in the first half, Bentley's biggest contribution came in the form of wrestling Jacob Brown over the advertising hoardings.
The Robins did have some luck in the second half when Lewis Baker's free-kick rattled off the bar but in summary, it was a relatively comfortable afternoon at the back and how often have we said that this season?
City could have scored three if they had been more clinical in their chances with Antoine Semenyo guilty of missing two in the first half but it was all about Jay Dasilva when his cross dipped beyond the Stoke keeper to score his first of the season.
There's no rest for the wicked as the players will now have the weekend off before looking towards the Blades on Monday but in the meantime, here's the verdict as City officially secured their Championship survival.
Well done, Nige
The players deserve plenty of credit for their performance and Pearson rightly praised their character and personality in response to the draw at Peterborough last weekend.
But the manager also deserves equal praise after a week where he admitted emotions got the better of him following the draw over the Posh.
Results like this make you understand why Pearson can be so irate after performances when his side fails to show the levels on the field both technically and mentally on a consistent basis.
There was a lot of spotlight on the manager building up to this match following his comments last week with the pressure gauge turned up with five matches to play. Even he acknowledged that his own future could be in doubt when he referenced a new manager coming in through the summer would still inherit the same problems.
Facing the media on Wednesday, Pearson answered his questions eloquently and helped encourage some of his doubters that he was the right man for the job - yesterday's performance further reiterated that.
There is absolutely no doubt that the players are continuing to play for him and the scenes at the full-time whistle proved that a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
Pearson revealed on Wednesday how certain staff members had spoken to him after the Peterborough game to remind him of the positives of the season - whether he is playing down the importance of the conversation is up for debate but he has come across with a lot more balance and a level-headed view of the situation both during the week and on Saturday.
Not only has he come across well by almost certainly winning some supporters back on his side, but his tactics were also equally as impressive to grind out three points.
Andi Weimann dropping into a flat three in midfield when Stoke had the ball helped frustrate their opponents but it was the game management that also stood out.
It also became inevitable that City would face a barrage of pressure in the final 10 minutes in other matches if they held a slender lead but yesterday there were no signs of capitulation.
He didn't make a substitution until the 90th minute, trusting the players he had out on the field to get the job over the line.
Not only was it a good day for Pearson, but it has also been a good week for the manager.
Jay Dasilva - sign him up
As Dasilva headed back towards the tunnel after scoring the winning goal with a huge grin on his face, he was interrupted by Pearson who gave him a huge hug.
A token of appreciation that encapsulates the turnaround the wing-back has enjoyed in a season that has provided its fair share of obstacles.
It was only after the 3-2 defeat against Coventry in November that Dasilva's time at Ashton Gate almost looked done and dusted. No appearances throughout December and it almost seemed inconceivable that he would remain a City player after January.
Around two months later he was back in the side, playing 50 minutes in a 6-2 defeat against Fulham and since then he has emerged as a mainstay.
Pearson has often talked about how his players struggle for consistency, but that hasn't applied to Dasilva since his return.
After the game, Pearson said of Dasilva: "I think Jay's form in general has been very good. He's a talented footballer and I'm sure he'll admit himself, it's a pinpoint cross to the far post - it was a good finish."
While he's not convincing anybody with his tongue in cheek comment on his goal, he is certainly right about the player's form and he is quickly becoming one of the first names on the team-sheet.
However, there is a minor problem unfolding here and that's his long-term future in BS3. His contract expires in 2023 and as one of the highest earners in the squad, City are left in a dilemma.
Do they sell him this summer for much-needed cash or take the gamble, keep him for another year and risk losing him for nothing if they fail to negotiate a new contract?
Either way his impressive performances are doing no harm to his transfer value looking forward but City, who do lack technically gifted players, need a player of Dasilva's calibre in the side if they want to progress.
There are plenty of players whose contracts leave their futures uncertain in BS3. Timm Klose, Robbie Cundy and Andy King are just three who could leave for nothing this summer while Dan Bentley, Tomas Kalas and Han-Noah Massengo's deals expire in 2023.
Dasilva also falls into that category and City should be working tooth and nail to extend that if the finances make sense.
Safety secured
There was never a real danger of dropping into the bottom three but it still feels like a burden has lifted that Championship safety has been secured by helping look forward to the future.
Pearson mentioned it before the Peterborough game how they still want to be mathematically safe and now it feels like a minor relief that City can almost wave goodbye to a rather drab and uneventful season with (and, dare I say it) a wave of fresh optimism looking ahead.
It's going to be a monumental job in the summer in terms of clearing out players and bringing in the right names on a stringent budget.
A new season with new names on the team-sheet will help bring the excitement back to those who are eager just to wave this campaign goodbye but Pearson won't want his players resting on their laurels just yet.
While there might not be anything to play for in regards to the table except possibly a bit of extra cash, certain players still have four games to convince the manager that they belong at the club next season.
Decisions have undoubtedly been made on some names who won't be around when the season kicks-off in July but the likes of Klose and Cundy will still be determined to prove they can play a part in the squad.
Hopefully, the players can come out on Monday against Sheffield United without the shackles and enjoy their football but for others there remains a lot at stake.
When asked whether the players can now play without any added pressure between now and the end of the season, Pearson again encouraged his players to play with freedom but reminded others that they still have points to prove.
He said: "I want to enjoy playing football and they looked like they enjoyed playing today.
"There’s always something to play for and that is that we are preparing for next year already.
"Whether that means collectively or players whose own situation hasn’t been clarified, it’s a great opportunity for players to enjoy the challenge but also rubber-stamp their inclusion in the squad next year."
The weather may be getting warmer and the holidays are being booked but for some players, there is still a lot riding on the remaining few games.
The midfield pairing
They've not had plenty of opportunities to play this season through injury but when they have, Matty James and Joe Williams have struggled to forge a partnership.
However, credit where credit is due the two complimented each other effectively and their disciplined performances were crucial in picking up the win over Stoke.
James' form has been ropey since coming back into the side but he arguably had one of his best games since his return, providing defence cover in front of the back line.
Pearson has mentioned on a couple of occasions how City don't have a defensive midfielder and that has obviously contributed to the worrying amount of goals conceded throughout the season.
But James performed that role well yesterday, making well-timed tackles and more importantly, keeping and recycling the ball much more efficiently than he has done in previous weeks.
He even seemed to show more willingness in playing the ball forward and kept it simple feeding Weimann in a more advanced role.
When Stoke were in possession, Weimann would drop into midfield making it a flat three and making it very difficult for the hosts to play through.
James and Williams' defensive showing played a big part in securing the three points but also emphasised the importance of strengthening that position ahead of a busy summer.
The defenders have been rightly called into question at times this season but a solid screening in front of them makes all the difference and would alleviate a lot of the pressure that comes through the middle.
It will be another test on Monday, especially with Williams absent as Pearson openly admitted he won't play to take care of his hamstrings and Han-Noah Massengo should be chomping at the bit to prove his worth.
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