Yu Hirakawa scored his first goal for Bristol City since joining on loan from Japanese side Machida Zelvia
Bristol City won their first away game of the season, beating Middlesbrough on an emotional afternoon in the Championship.
A minute's applause was held before kick-off in tribute to the family of City manager Liam Manning, following the death of his young son, Theo John.
Michael Carrick's Boro side started the brighter of the two, but the Robins took the lead against the run of play when Anis Mehmeti fired home in the 27th minute.
Yu Hirakawa then curled home his first goal for Bristol City, doubling their lead in first-half stoppage time.
The win sends Bristol City up to 10th in the table, and level on points with Middlesbrough.
In Manning’s absence, Bristol City assistant manager Chris Hogg might have taken to the visiting dugout with half an eye on Middlesbrough’s unbeaten home record in the league this season, and well aware of his side’s failure to win away from Ashton Gate.
The game started as expected, with Boro dominating proceedings, but cracks began to appear early on as they failed to capitalise on numerous chances.
Finn Azaz fizzed a shot just wide of the post inside the first five minutes, and the lively Emmanuel Latte Lath was keen to get in on the action as well, his attempt also travelling just beyond Max O’Leary’s goal.
But it was the away side who broke the deadlock, with Mehmeti pinching a wayward pass inside the 18-yard box and firing high into the net, prompting unexpected euphoria from the travelling fans.
A tribute was held to the family of Bristol City manager Liam Manning following the death of his son
Middlesbrough regrouped and went on the attack once again, and forward Ben Doak seemed destined to get the equaliser, only to be denied by the solid arm of O’Leary.
Wave after wave of Boro attacks continued, but their momentum was well and truly punctured in first-half stoppage time when Hirakawa nipped into the box and curled home his first goal for Bristol City since joining on loan from Japanese side Machida Zelvia.
Boro needed something special if they were going to get back into the game, and Carrick used his substitutions with his sights firmly set on scoring.
The introductions of attacking midfielder Riley McGree and wing-back Isaiah Jones in place of more defensive players spiced things up for a brief time, but as the second half went on Bristol City got into a rhythm.
Middlesbrough had moments when they thought they might unpick the City defence, most notably when Doak fired just past the post and when they had several penalty appeals turned down.
But when referee Sam Allison blew the final whistle, the Bristol City players and fans were able to celebrate a first win on the road this season.
Hogg 'proud' of Bristol City after difficult week - reaction
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:
"We're just not killing enough teams off even though we're playing good football and creating great opportunities.
"Bristol City have come with their gameplan and been hard to break down, so they'll be happy with the result; that's football.
"We're four points off the play-offs and it's a long-old season, so there won't be any knee-jerk reactions from us.
"We just need to find that killer instinct."
Bristol City assistant manager Chris Hogg told BBC Radio Bristol:
"I'm proud of the club, because it was never going to be a smooth performance where we were at our optimum.
"It was always going to be a case of riding the early emotions of the tribute which I thought was beautiful for little Theo.
"I'm so proud of the players and thank them for this week and how they've been as human beings.
“I know the gaffer would have been watching even though I told him not to, but I hope it put a smile on his face, even for a few seconds.
"Me and Liam (Manning) just want to make this the best club it can be and make it a team the city can be proud of."
Chris Hogg speaks after Bristol City's 2-0 victory at Middlesbrough.
