Leeds United 1-0 Bristol City

Souleymane Doukara has scored three goals in four games after 12 games without a goal

Souleymane Doukara scored the only goal as Leeds stretched their unbeaten home run to six matches with victory over struggling Bristol City.

The French striker struck his third goal in four games midway through the second half to condemn the Robins to a fourth defeat in five games.

City's Jonathan Kodija was bright and had two good chances, but keeper Marco Silvestri kept him at bay.

Aden Flint missed a close-range header to leave City in the relegation places.

Leeds had won their last three league matches against the Robins at Elland Road but nearly went behind after 25 minutes.

Liam Bridcutt lost possession on his own goal-line and Nathan Baker forced Silvestri into a save with a powerful shot from a narrow angle.

Kodija was proving to be a handful for the Leeds defence and City's top scorer headed just wide before slipping past two defenders inside the penalty box and seeing his low shot blocked by Leeds' last line of defence.

The hosts went ahead when Stuart Dallas' low cross cannoned off substitute Chris Wood to Doukara, who fired the ball past goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell.

City should have equalised in the 79th minute, but Flint somehow contrived to head wide from six yards despite rising unchallenged.

Steve Evans' side held on to the whistle, with their only shot on target moving them up to 16th and ending a run of five league games without a win.

Leeds head coach Steve Evans:

"The first half was like going to the dentist. It wasn't pleasant and it was a long 45 minutes.

"It was a scrappy game. We were poor in quality all over the pitch in that first half - it was lazy and sloppy.

"I told them to find a moment of magic in the second half and they did that with Souleymane Doukara's goal.

"He is a player who needs to be loved and valued. He is getting the rewards for all the hard work he has put in."

Bristol City interim boss John Pemberton:

"The one Aden missed near the end he would have buried last year. I was expecting the net to ripple and I couldn't believe it when the ball went wide.

"We are disappointed with the scoreline because we didn't deserve to lose, but we can get out of the trouble we are in. We have a stronger foundation now and are looking harder to beat.

"We probably need a bit more experience in the middle of the park and a bit more composure with our final ball.

"I was at Leeds for four years so I know what it is like to play here. Some of my players were experiencing the mental test of playing at Elland Road for the first time."