Karanka bemoans poor Middlesbrough display

The league leaders looked set to leave Ashton Gate with a point, extending their nine-match unbeaten run in the league.

However, Wes Burns’ injury-time winner saw Boro suffer a 1-0 loss to struggling City - not that boss Karanka had any complaints.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“People were expecting an easy win for us, but football is not like that and the Championship is not like that.

“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.”

It was an impressive display from City, who were managed by John Pemberton and Under-21 coach Wade Elliott following Steve Cotterill’s sacking on Thursday.

City started with a lone striker in Jonathan Kodjia, supported by Burns and Reid in midfield.

They created the first chance on 15 minutes when Joe Bryan’s curling cross from the left was met by Burns, but he could only shoot tamely at Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Soon Middlesbrough fashioned a similar opportunity, only for Kike to fail to make proper contact with Daniel Ayala’s cross just six yards out.

A mistake by Derrick Williams let in Boro’s Cristhian Stuani but his low shot was saved by Richard O’Donnell, on loan from Wigan.

At the other Burns got behind the visitors’ back line and saw his angled drive tipped over by Konstantopoulos.

A Reid chip was glanced wide by Burns as City more than held their own in the opening half, which ended with warm applause from the home fans.

The second period began with the hosts still on the front foot and Luke Ayling’s well-struck effort from 25 yards cleared the crossbar.

A spell of Boro pressure brought no reward and they were almost caught on the break when Kodjia burst forward only to fire wildly over.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka made a change on 62 minutes, sending on David Nugent for Kike.

Still City looked the more threatening and another exciting run by Kodjia ended with a shot from the edge of the box straight at Konstantopoulos.

Albert Adomah, playing against his old club, stung the hands of City keeper O’Donnell from 25 yards before the home side made their first change, replacing left-back Williams with Scott Wagstaff.

Korey Smith shot over from distance for City, who continued to give Boro’s defence all the trouble they could handle.

Konstantopoulos was in action again on 75 minutes, tipping over Ayling’s header from a Reid corner.

Adomah had a chance on 81 minutes when O’Donnell left his line without getting the ball, but the former City player’s lob was too high.

Wagstaff shot wide for City as both teams went for the three points in the closing stages. Reid then dribbled his way past two defenders only to delay his shot and be robbed.

With Boro hanging on, a Bryan free-kick caused havoc as Konstantopoulos could only punch it up in the air and Flint’s header came back off the crossbar.

It was a temporary reprieve, as Burns had the final say to leave Boro only two points ahead of second-placed Hull.

Bristol City: O’Donnell, Ayling, Flint, Baker (Little 90), Williams (Wagstaff 71), Burns, Reid, Pack, Smith, Bryan, Kodjia (Wilbraham 80). Subs Not Used: El-Abd, Agard, O’Leary. Booked: Ayling, Burns. Goals: Burns 90.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Ayala, Amorebieta, Friend, Clayton (Forshaw 88), Leadbitter, Stuani, Downing, Adomah, Garcia (Nugent 64). Subs Not Used: Kike Sola, De Pena, Mejias, Fry, Kalas. Booked: Clayton, Amorebieta.

Att: 15,670 Ref: Carl Boyeson (E Yorkshire).