Bristol City 1-2 Coventry City: Viktor Gyokeres snatches late Sky Blues winner

Ian Maatsen's 25th-minute opener was the on-loan Chelsea midfielder's second goal in four matches

Coventry City moved to within two points of the Championship play-off places after Viktor Gyokeres struck a late winner to beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Gustavo Hamer provided assists for both Sky Blues goals, starting with the opener for on-loan Chelsea midfielder Ian Maatsen on 25 minutes.

Hamer clipped a delightful right-foot pass over the top down the inside-left channel and, although Maatsen initially looked to have misjudged the bounce, he kept his cool to turn and glide a well struck left-foot angled shot across keeper Dan Bentley.

But, shortly after Antoine Semenyo head headed against the bar, the hosts levelled on 62 minutes.

Alex Scott floated over a neat ball beyond the far post, Andi Weimann headed back across goal and Chris Martin was left astonishingly unattended to head home from six yards.

But Sky Blues boss Mark Robins had the last word against the Robins when Hamer's break up-field set up the 89th-minute winner for Gyokeres, who fired home a right-foot shot to earn the visitors their fifth away win of the season.

This was the seventh league match this season where Bristol City have conceded a goal beyond the 89th minute that's cost them points. It's a habit that's seen them drop 12, a tally that would move them level on points with the play-off places as it stands.

After a bizarre mid-season drought, Viktor Gyokeres has now scored four Coventry goals in his last eight games

Coventry had already looked the sharper team before Maatsen's composed finish put them ahead, and could have scored again but Gyokeres broke clear down the right only to screw his shot wide, before Hamer had an effort deflected wide.

But the hosts went close when Semenyo shot wide with Weimann well placed - and then on 52 minutes he went even closer with a powerful header from Scott's free-kick which smacked against the crossbar.

Martin's equaliser rewarded Nigel Pearson's men for upping their game, before Weimann fired over from a Semenyo cross.

But Coventry went close twice in a minute, when Bentley saved brilliantly from Maatsen before Dom Hyam headed against the far post from a corner.

After Coventry goalkeeper Simon Moore had saved bravely at the feet of both Martin and Weimann, it was Gyokeres who proved the match-winner.

Who's next?

The Sky Blues will now host Preston on Saturday, when Pearson's City, who are in 16th, 19 points clear of trouble, are at Nottingham Forest.

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson:

"We have been done yet again by a late goal, but this time it stemmed from an individual mistake, rather than collective anxiety.

"It was a good performance. But it's a results business and we are not winning enough, despite the players trying very hard.

"A lot of young players are learning the hard way. But football is like life - you learn more from the bad stuff than the good.

"It's a big hit to take because we didn't deserve to lose that game. But we are making progress and our fans can see that the lads are giving everything.

"Mark set his side up as I would have done playing us and looked to catch us on the break. He is among the most underrated managers in the game. All credit to Coventry for the way they played."

Sky Blues Mark Robins told BBC CWR:

"It wasn't our best performance, but it was one of our best results. That was one of our toughest games of the season, so it was a fantastic result.

"Nigel Pearson has done a brilliant job with Bristol City and his team are a totally different proposition to last season. Their front three cause problems and they have some exciting young players, with a desire to do well. We had to play well.

"We were a bit fortunate at times, but we kept going and always looked like creating chances. Gus Hamer has been involved in both goals. His return to the team was very important.

"He has set up the last one with the composure to pass to Viktor, who looked out on his feet at times but produced a quality finish."