Bristol City 1-0 Wolves: Jonathan Kodjia header sees off Wolves

Jonathan Kodjia's eighth goal of the season was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Sky Bet Championship strugglers Bristol City over Wolves at Ashton Gate on Tuesday evening.

The home side were good value for their win, which was secured when Kodjia headed in Elliott Bennett's right wing cross from six yards out in the final minute of the first half.

Roared on by a supportive crowd, Steve Cotterill's men went on to create most of the second-half chances and defended their lead with huge determination.

Wolves lacked a cutting edge up front as Aden Flint marshalled a solid City back-line and could have no complaints about the outcome.

Kodjia's goal came at the end of a first half featuring few clear chances for either side, although the best fell to City's Derrick Williams in the 10th minute, but he miscued a left-footed shot with only Emiliano Martinez to beat and saw the effort cleared to safety.

Marlon Pack shot wide for the hosts early on when given time and space 20 yards out, but it was one of few moments of excitement.

City's combative midfield player Korey Smith was booked for preventing a Wolves break on the half hour after Luke Ayling had been caught out of position.

But, despite some promising approach play, Wanderers failed to force a testing save from Frank Fielding before the break.

Manager Kenny Jackett responded with two half-time changes, sending on Grant Holt and Adam Le Fondre for Nathan Byrne and Benik Afobe.

The move almost paid quick dividends when Le Fondre's low 48th-minute shot was parried by Fielding. Dave Edwards netted from the rebound, but was ruled offside.

Martinez saved well from Kieran Agard as City responded and the Wolves keeper did even better to stop Kodjia's fierce angled shot on his line with an outstretched right hand.

The striker looked threatening throughout and sent another powerful shot just over the bar as his side continued to have the upper hand, while Luke Freeman and Pack also brought saves from Martinez.

Wolves might have equalised in a late goalmouth scramble but it would have been an injustice.

With midfielder Smith protecting his back-line, City were transformed from the side who conceded four goals in the first 36 minutes against Fulham on Saturday.

Wolves were unchanged, while City boss Cotterill left out experienced striker Aaron Wilbraham, bringing in Agard, and restored a fit-again Nathan Baker to defence.

Williams switched to left wing-back as Joe Bryan had to be content with a place on the bench and the changes certainly paid dividends for Cotterill as his side picked up a valuable win.

The result leaves City in 21st spot, four points above the relegation zone, while Wolves are 14th.

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill said:

"We have been giving Jonathan a bit of stick over his heading, so fair play to him. It was a superb cross, but not the sort of goal I expect him to score.

"But he is doing a great job for us. It was a really pleasing all-round team performance tonight, but he deserved his goal because he was brilliant."

 Wovles manager Kenny Jackett said:

"It was a flat performance. I changed things at half-time to try and get two players up front to get the goal back, but we still couldn't get going.

"Bristol City proved very difficult to break down. We had very good travelling support and we didn't give them enough to sing about."