Bristol City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: Nahki Wells seals victory for Robins

Substitute Nahki Wells struck a 77th-minute winner as Bristol City stepped up their Sky Bet Championship play-off challenge with a 2-1 victory over Blackburn at Ashton Gate.

The home side took a 12th-minute lead when Rovers defender Danny Batth was booked for a foul on Sinclair Armstrong 20 yards out and free-kick specialist Scott Twine curled a trademark right-footed shot beyond the reach of Aynsley Pears.

But Blackburn were on terms five minutes before the break when Makhtar Gueye rose to head a Tyrhys Dolan cross against the inside of a post and former City player Andreas Weimann pounced to nod in the rebound.

With Rovers threatening a winner, Wells ran onto a pass from fellow substitute Joe Williams to hit a low left-footed shot past Pears from a narrow angle and settle a bristling contest.

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City made four changes from the 2-2 midweek draw at Sheffield Wednesday, bringing in George Tanner, Haydon Roberts, Anis Mehmeti and Armstrong, while Rovers' starting line-up also showed four changes, including Weimann, who came in along with Adam Forshaw, Dion Sanderson and goalkeeper Pears.

Blackburn had the first effort at goal in the seventh minute when Dolan fired inches over after turning past Luke McNally on the right of the penalty area.

But City were getting on top when Twine broke the deadlock and Rovers had three players booked in the opening 24 minutes, with Sanderson and Gueye joining Batth in receiving yellow cards.

Twine went close with another sweetly struck shot from distance, while Forshaw saw a similar effort at the other deflect off a team-mate for a goal-kick.

City almost paid for playing out from the back in the 34th minute when Rob Dickie was robbed on the edge of his own box, leaving three Rovers players converging on goalkeeper Max O'Leary. But an offside flag spared the home side's blushes.

It was no surprise that Dolan was involved in Blackburn's equaliser. But it took a brilliant 42nd-minute save by Pears from Mehmeti's volley to keep the visitors on level terms at the break.

Both sides had chances during a bright start to the second half, Dolan having a shot blocked from Weimann's pass and Twine firing over following a strong run from Armstrong.

City almost went in front again in the 63rd minute when Wells, on as a substitute for Armstrong, broke through the middle and lobbed Pears, only for Callum Britain to race back and clear the ball off the line.

Weimann received an ovation from both sets of fans when substituted in the 74th minute, with Rovers looking the more likely winners.

That quickly changed when Wells struck and it was City who threatened more goals in the closing stages through Wells and Twine.

The managers

Bristol City's Liam Manning:

"You cannot afford to leave things like that to the end of the season. Of course, it can all come down to budgets, but I love having Nahki in the squad.

"He is the consummate professional and a big influence on our younger players. He would like to have scored more goals this season and we had a chat about that not so long ago, but his work on behalf of the team is exceptional."

Blackburn's John Eustace:

"We will bounce back. I was proud of the efforts of the players and it's important we don't get too disappointed.

"The play-off race will remain tight. Bristol City have invested well and should be involved.

"I am confident that we will stay in the fight. It will help if we can make the right additions to the squad."

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