Where it went wrong for Middlesbrough against Bristol City as Neil Warnock's side are given a stern reality check

Saturday’s home meeting with Bristol City was an opportunity to move five points clear of the dreaded drop zone and build on Wednesday’s excellent performance at Millwall.

Instead, the Teessiders were given a stern reality check from a team which still have an outside chance of making the play-offs this season.

At the other end of the table, Boro remain two points above the bottom three following this 3-1 defeat. Britt Assombalonga’s late strike was a mere consolation.

It was no surprise to see Warnock name the same starting XI and formation as he did at Millwall on Wednesday.

Boro looked far more comfortable playing with a back three and wing-back at The Den, when the Teessiders stood up to a physical and imposing side.

Like Millwall, City often operate with a back three, so once again it made sense for Boro to match their opponents up.

Yet the Robins, under the guidance of interim head coach Dean Holden, posed a different test at the Riverside.

In the early exchanges, the visitors’ passing was crisp and incisive as Boro were forced to do most of the chasing.

With Robins frontmen Nahki Wells and Famara Diedhiou regularly dropping deep, the visitors always appeared to have an extra man.

City were also quick and lethal on the counter attack, as shown when Weimann teed-up Wells inside the area and the striker curled a stunning effort into the far corner, leaving Boro goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic no chance.

Boro did respond, often taking the direct approach after racking up their corner count and utilising Ryan Shotton’s long throw-ins.

The game could have been different if Dael Fry had converted a golden chance when the ball dropped to him unmarked in the area, yet the defender blazed his effort over the bar.

Then George Saville met one of Shotton’s hefty throws, only for City keeper Dan Bentley to tip the ball onto his crossbar.

Those opportunities came back to bite Boro as the visitors struck a decisive blow right before the interval.

Another swift move saw Weimann release Jamie Paterson on the left and, after beating full-back Djed Spence, the City midfielder lashed the ball into the far corner of Stojanovic’s goal.

Given the chances at both ends, 2-0 seemed a little harsh on Boro at the break, yet it could have been more if it wasn’t for a couple of sharp saves from Stojanovic.

Yet the result seemed inevitable when the teams reappeared for the second half, with City keeping the pressure on and Boro struggling to lay a glove on the Robins.

Holden’s side were dominant on the flanks as Spence and Marvin Johnson struggled to get forward like they did at Millwall.

Wells’ second goal of the game 11 minutes from time was a just reward for the visitors’ efforts.

Assombalonga’s late strike was too little too late.