Goal-den oldie Nahki Wells stunning cameo boosts Bristol City promotion hopes to break Blackburn Rovers hearts

Nahki Wells was the hero with a late winner that boosted Bristol City’s promotion challenge as the Robins earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over play-off rivals Blackburn Rovers ar Ashton Gate.

The 34-year-old came off the bench to grab the winner after former City star Andreas Weimann had come back to haunt his old club with the equaliser that cancelled out Scott Twine’s stunning set-piece.

Wells second goal in two games secured City three points that move the Robins to within two places and three points of the play offs.

With four changes to the home side today with Sinclair Armstrong making a return upfront in place of top scorer Nahki Wells while George Tanner, Haydon Roberts and Anis Mehmeti were handed starts following the midweek 2-2 at Sheffield Wednesday

Liam Manning’s side were looking to make it six unbeaten at home in league competition but it was the away side who had the first chance but Tyrhys Dolan fired over after good work to beat Luke McNally in the box.

But at the other end, speed merchant Armstrong proved too hot to handle for the Rovers defence and paved the way for the opener after winning a free kick on the edge of the box after 12 minutes when he was fouled by Danny Batth who received a yellow card for the challenge.

Great Scott

The resulting free kick was a sight the crowd at Ashton Gate are used to these days with Twine firing home into the bottom right corner just outside the box and Blackburn keeper Aynsley Pears could do nothing about it despite a full-length dive.

City’s in-form No 10 looked up for it as he found himself with another free kick from the edge of the box but fired it into the wall but then had another shot from about 30 yards about which was narrowly wide of the post.

The away side were trying to find an equaliser and had a good chance through Dolan who headed over after good work down the left hand side.

Blushes were spared for City's defence and the away side attack as Max O’Leary gave the ball straight to Weimann who erred in passing to Dolan, who put the ball the wrong side of the post, but was offside.

From a recycled set piece it was good work from Max Bird and Mehmeti, who won the free kick originally, and the cross was set in and was begging for a touch but Armstrong couldn't tap it home.

Blackburn tried to set a physical tone to the game with a flurry of yellow cards for Danny Batth, Dion Sanderson and Makhtar Gueye.

Slightly against the run of play, the away side made it a level game with a tap-in from former City favourite Weimann.

Pear-shaped response

It resulted from Dolan once again beating Luke McNally before crossing the ball into Makhtar Gueye, whose header bounced off the post and Weimann simply tapped it past former teammate O’Leary and then refused to celebrate in front of the City fans.

The Robins almost bounced back straight away but Mehmeti blasted straight at Pears after Roberts’ inviting cross.

With a lively beginning to the second half with the Blackburn front three linking up nicely before the ever exciting Dolan had a shot blocked.

Then the Robins went up the other end with a quick counter with Armstrong and Knight before the City captain laid the ball off to the goalscorer Twine who fired just over the crossbar.

After an hour's play, Manning made his first two substitutions bringing on Wells for Armstrong and Sykes on for Tanner.

Wells nearly made an instant impact after receiving a great ball from Max bird he tried to chip the goalie but it didn't have enough weight on it and was cleared just short of the goalline.

Both sides made subs with just over 15 minutes remaining with the away side bringing on Liverpool loanee Owen Beck for goalscorer Andreas Weimann, who received a warm reception on his return to Ashton Gate.

While Manning made a double substitution bringing on West ham loanee George Earthy and Joe Williams for Max Bird and Mehmeti.

Williams on his return from injury made an instant impact slipping the ball through to Nahki wells who expertly finished past Pears.

A bittersweet moment for the Bermudan international as the former Burnley striker netted past his former side's heated rivals.

With his side going behind again, Rovers boss John Eustace made a quadruple change bringing on Joe Rankin-Costello, Lewis Travis, Amario Cozier-Duberry and Harry Leonard.

They were subbed on for Danny Batth, Adam Forshaw, Tyrhys Dolan and John Buckley.

Shortly after City made their final substitution bringing off defender Haydon Roberts for fellow defender Ross McCrorie.

After that he was making sure the victory was secured and after 5 minutes of good game management, the referee blew his whistle marking another home league game without defeat.