Match ends, Bristol City 1, Middlesbrough 0.
Bristol CityBristol City1MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough0
Wes Burns headed an injury-time winner as managerless Bristol City defeated Championship leaders Middlesbrough.
City are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference while Boro's lead at the top is cut to two points.
Aden Flint headed against the bar moments earlier while Aaron Wilbraham's follow-up was cleared.
City were not to be denied as Flint and Burns scrambled in a stoppage-time corner to earn their fifth win of the season and do the double over Boro.
The goal brought to an end Boro's run of nine consecutive clean sheets as they also missed the opportunity to set a Football League record.
City, who sacked manager Steve Cotterill on Thursday, had John Pemberton and Wade Elliott leading the side.
The club also unveiled former Oxford United chief executive Mark Ashton as their new chief operating officer before the game.
Kike sent an early shot wide for Boro while Dimitrios Konstantopoulos saved well from City forward Burns.
Jonathan Kodjia's weak shot was kept out and Luke Ayling's header tipped over by Konstantopoulos while Albert Adomah lobbed over the bar for Boro.
The game looked to be heading for a draw before Burns diverted Flint's late header past the Boro keeper.
Joint interim Bristol City manager John Pemberton:
"The feeling in the dressing room was one of relief.
"It has been a very difficult week because we lost a good man and a good manager.
"The response from the players was unbelievable and we fully deserved to win.
"We had only one day to work with the players and tried to keep things as simple as possible."
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka:
"It was a late goal, but it could have come five or 10 minutes earlier because we couldn't clear our box in the closing stages.
"We knew it would be a tough game and that Bristol were dangerous from set pieces, but I expected much more from my players.
"We didn't deserve to win because we didn't play in our usual way and our key players did not perform as they can.
"It was a poor performance. Sometimes there is more pressure for the players in facing a struggling side than in big games and we didn't deal with it today."
Line-ups
Bristol City
Formation 4-5-1
- 12O'Donnell
- 5AylingBooked at 56mins
- 4Flint
- 17BakerSubstituted forLittleat 90+4'minutes
- 3WilliamsSubstituted forWagstaffat 71'minutes
- 20BurnsBooked at 80mins
- 14Reid
- 21Pack
- 7Smith
- 23Bryan
- 22KodjiaSubstituted forWilbrahamat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Little
- 6El-Abd
- 10Agard
- 11Wagstaff
- 18Wilbraham
- 24O'Leary
- 25Vyner
Middlesbrough
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Konstantopoulos
- 24Nsue
- 4Ayala
- 5AmorebietaBooked at 73mins
- 3Friend
- 8ClaytonBooked at 62minsSubstituted forForshawat 88'minutes
- 7Leadbitter
- 18Stuani
- 19Downing
- 27Adomah
- 9KikeSubstituted forNugentat 64'minutes
Substitutes
- 10De Pena
- 13Mejias
- 22Fry
- 23Sola Clemente
- 26Kalas
- 34Forshaw
- 35Nugent
- Referee:
- Carl Boyeson
- Attendance:
- 15,670
Match Stats
Home TeamBristol CityAway TeamMiddlesbrough
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol City 1, Middlesbrough 0.
Goal!
Goal! Bristol City 1, Middlesbrough 0. Wes Burns (Bristol City) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Aden Flint following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by George Friend.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marlon Pack (Bristol City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Wes Burns.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Joe Bryan (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Scott Wagstaff.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Scott Wagstaff (Bristol City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City. Mark Little replaces Nathan Baker because of an injury.
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Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Grant Leadbitter.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Nathan Baker (Bristol City) because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Adam Forshaw.
Post update
Aden Flint (Bristol City) hits the bar with a header from very close range following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Dangerous play by David Nugent (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Korey Smith (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Adam Forshaw replaces Adam Clayton.
Post update
George Friend (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Wes Burns (Bristol City).
