Bristol City moved into the Championship play-off places after an inspired performance from super-sub George Earthy, who scored the Robins’ two goals in a come-from-behind victory over Middlesbrough.
Liam Manning’s side went behind after 37 minutes when a familiar face in City academy product Tommy Conway fired Boro in front by heading in the rebound of a Kelechi Iheanacho shot, which was parried by Max O’Leary.
But Earthy was one of three substitutions that changed the flow of the game after they were brought on with the Robins trailing after 63 minutes. Within nine minutes of being introduced, he scored his first City goal to pull the Robins level, connecting with a dinked cross by fellow substitute Cam Pring, and poking a first-time shot home.
Earthy went from zero goals in a red shirt, to two with eight minutes to go, as he was in the right place after Scott Twine hit the bar with a direct free-kick to tap home a rebound into an empty net.
With the 2-1 victory, the Robins move into the Championship top six, ahead of the main slate of games on Saturday afternoon.
Daniel Carter
That's all from us tonight
Hopefully you enjoyed our coverage of a great night in BS3. We will of course have more reaction from tonight's game over the weekend but for tonight at least, we're going to bed.
That's much nicer to write after three points...
KEY EVENT
The manager's reaction
While everyone in a Bristol City shirt can be proud of their display this evening, Liam Manning was keen to laud the "outstanding" George Earthy in his post-match press conference.
You can read what he said HERE...
Daniel Carter
Player ratings have landed
It wasn't simple, but Bristol City have climbed into the top six with an impressive win over Middlesbrough thanks to George Earthy's first two goals in a Robins shirt.
Check out our player ratings HERE...
KEY EVENT
Full-time: BRISTOL CITY 2 - 1 BORO
George Earthy's goals are enough for Bristol City to secure all three points and climb into the polay-off places for tonight at least. Ashton Gate is bouncing and who can blame them. It is going to be a good weekend for these supporters.
We'll have all the reaction as it comes at Ashton Gate here...
90+1Daniel Carter
City change
Scott Twine's evening is over and his replaced by Joe Williams for the final exchanges.
90+1Daniel Carter
Four minutes added
Bristol City will be keen to run this clock down now.
89Daniel Carter
Great tackle by Earthy
Ashton Gate liked that just as much as his goals. The West Ham loanee pinches the ball off of Conway and concedes a throw-in.
87Daniel Carter
Strong by Tanner
The right-back does well to shield a ball out of play on the left flank and will kill some more minutes as he takes his time over the throw-in.
84Daniel Carter
How is it not three?
Nahki Wells turns on the ball and cannons a shot towards the bottom corner. Somehow, Travers keeps it out but that could have been game, set and match.
82KEY EVENT
GOAL! BRISTOL CITY 2 - 1 Boro [Earthy]
There he is again! Twine's free-kick hits the bar and Earthy follows it in to tap home from close range and get his second of trhe game. That could be massive.
81Daniel Carter
Another Twine free-kick
He's the man brought down this time just outside the box and he'll have another chance to find the net with the deadball. This free-kick is very central.
79Daniel Carter
Twine fires over!
The whole ground goes silent as the attacking midfielder tries his luck with the free-kick... but this one is well over the bar. It has been a tough evening for the former Burnley man.
78Daniel Carter
Free-kick in Twine's area
Knight is hauled to the ground on the right side of the box. Scott Twine is lining this one up...
77Daniel Carter
Twine forces a big save
City nearly pull ahead as Twine smashes an effort towards goal with his left foot but a stretched Travers does well to save and turn behind. Ashton Gate is loud now.
72KEY EVENT
GOAL! BRISTOL CITY 1 - 1 Boro [Earthy]
City are level! Hirawaka chips a ball to the back post that nobody is there to meet. It instead bounces across to Pring and he cuts it to Earthy who can turn home from close range. That's his first for the club.
69Daniel Carter
City change
Armstrong's evening is over as he is replaced by Nahki Wells.
69Daniel Carter
Hirakawa goes close!
George Tanner whips a cross to the edge of the box and it is Yu who gets his head to it. He directs it goalward and it has the 'keeper scrambling but just ends up wide. Some better signs from the Robins though.
68Daniel Carter
O'Leary quick off his line
Boro are playing around the City midfield far too easily and this time it results in a through ball for Iheanacho to chase. He sets off quickly but O'Leary beats him too it in the box and gathers.
66Daniel Carter
Strong by Tanner
That is a really good bit of defending. A ball is smashed into the path of Conway who just about gets it under control but before he can get a shot away, Tanner bashes him off of the ball and O'Leary gathers.
62Daniel Carter
Triple City change
George Earthy, Yu Hirakawa and Cam Pring are on for Mehmeti, Sykes and Roberts.
61Daniel Carter
Armstrong forces big save
Tanner does well to get across and block a shot from Conway which Knight then clears to kickstart a counter. Mehmeti lumps a ball behind for Armstrong who races down the left and forces a big save from Travers.
60Daniel Carter
Armstrong ok to continue
The striker looks like he will be fine to carry on but it looks like a set of City changes are imminent sooner rather than later.
58Daniel Carter
Twine forces a block
That's another good chance for the Robins. Mehmeti cuts a cross back to Twine who this time shoots with his right-foot. He connects well enough, but it is blocked straight away as another oppurtunity goes begging.
Armstrong is also recieving some treatment and we have a break in play.
57Daniel Carter
Yellow card
Dijksteel goes into the book for taking too long over a throw in. The away side are in no rush here whatsoever.
56Daniel Carter
Roberts getting forward
He may have played a part in the opener, but Roberts has got forward well here today. He may not have the pace of a Cam Pring or the delivery of a Scott Twine, but he can go on the odd mazy run.
53Daniel Carter
Twine gets it wrong
That sort of sums up the attacking midfielder's evening so far. He trips over the ball but somehow keeps possession before skipping infield. He then gets his head up and looks to squeeze an outside of the foot pass into Mehmeti but puts too much on it and it runs through to the goalkeeper.
51Daniel Carter
Well played by Vyner
Vyner puts City under pressure with an awful pass that springs a counterattack through Iheanacho. He looks to have got the better of the Robins' defender but he does well to work back and win back possession. He caused the problem but did well to undo it.
49Daniel Carter
Sykes' cross comes to nothing
Jason Knight slips a good pass out to the right flank for Mark Sykes who tries to stand a ball up to the front post. It is deflected straight away and easily claimed by Travers who doesn't even have to move.
46Daniel Carter
Tackle from Vyner
Conway looks to have got in behind the Reds' backline early on here but Vyner works across well to not only pinch the ball off of him but end the attack. Smart work from the defender.
46KEY EVENT
Back underway
Scott Twine gets us back underway. Neither side has turned to the bench during the break.