Bristol City 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers: Famara Diedhiou gives Robins late win
- Published
Chris Martin scored his first Bristol City goal since 6 November
Famara Diedhiou scored a late winner to end Bristol City's three-match losing run in the Championship with victory over bottom side Wycombe Wanderers.
The Senegal forward, on as a second-half substitute, lashed a vicious strike into the top corner from just inside the box to deny the Chairboys what would have been a deserved point.
Chris Martin had put the hosts in front midway through the first half, heading Callum O'Dowda's hanging cross in at the far post to score just his second Championship goal of the season.
City striker Nahki Wells dragged another good chance wide right at the start of the second period, but after that it was the visitors who had by far the better of the game.
Gareth Ainsworth's side penned the home side in for long periods, their direct play into Adebayo Akinfenwa causing Bristol City numerous problems.
Garath McCleary eventually scored the equaliser their pressure merited, although it was fortunate in nature after taking a huge deflection off Adrian Mariappa to wrong-foot goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.
But Diedhiou's powerful drive with three minutes remaining gave the Robins a 10th win of the campaign.
It seemed cruel on Wycombe, who battled well but are still four points adrift of safety and are now winless in 11 matches.
While Diedhiou's winning goal was a welcome one for City head coach Dean Holden, he will still be hugely concerned by second-half injuries to winger O'Dowda and centre-half Zak Vyner.
They both limped off with knocks and, with another congested period of fixtures looming, will add to an already lengthy list of first-team players sidelined.
The Robins are ninth in the table, one point off the play-off places.
Bristol City head coach Dean Holden told BBC Radio Bristol:
"It's a much-needed win. Famara's done that three times this season off the bench. It was a great strike but the build-up play prior to that was very good. And we scored a very good goal in the first half as well.
"Some of the play in the first half I thought was outstanding. We passed the ball well, created big chances, but then we got away from it in the second half. We got a bit anxious in our play.
"They scored with a deflected goal, but to keep going like we did shows the spirit and a fantastic strike to win the game."
Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We're so close. We're never out of games at all. The performance [in the] second half today definitely warranted something - we should have taken at least a point, maybe even three.
"But I suppose that's what a £5 million striker [Diedhiou] does, he puts it into the roof of the net when he gets that one chance. It's tough to take but I'm really proud of the boys.
"If we keep performing like we are, we're certain to get some points on the board soon."