Nahki Wells scored his 10th career league goal against Blackburn Rovers
Nahki Wells continued his impressive record against Blackburn Rovers with a late winner to fire Bristol City to a fourth successive Championship home victory.
Striker Wells came off the bench to score the decisive goal with his 10th league goal against Rovers, more than he has netted against any other team.
Set-piece specialist Scott Twine had put the Robins ahead with a first-half free-kick before Andi Weimann marked his first return to Ashton Gate since his summer departure with the equaliser but Wells had the final say.
Victory continued Bristol City's push for the top six, lifting them up two places to eighth, just three points outside the Championship play-off places.
Meanwhile, Wells' goal condemned Blackburn to a third successive league defeat as they dropped a place to seventh.
Blackburn had the game's first chance when Tyrhys Dolan tricked his way past Luke McNally into a promising position in the box but blazed the ball over the bar from a narrow angle, overlooking better-placed options in the middle.
Sinclair Armstrong, making his first Robins start since December 10 following a hamstring injury, looked lively early on with a couple of forward runs giving Blackburn a warning of the threat he could pose.
From one in the 10th minute, Danny Batth then brought him down and conceded the free-kick which earned the defender a booking and led to the hosts' opening goal.
The set-piece was in an ideal position for Twine, who curled his effort perfectly over the wall and into Aynsley Pears' bottom corner.
Blackburn were briefly rocked. January signing Dion Sanderson, on his first Rovers start, joined fellow centre-back Batth by picking up a yellow card.
John Buckley then presented Twine with another free-kick opportunity when he was caught in possession just outside his area and fouled Jason Knight as he tried to salvage the situation.
Twine hit the wall this time but Blackburn failed to properly clear their lines and he struck a follow-up effort from long range just wide.
Blackburn eventually regained their composure after that shaky period and scored an equaliser they deserved for their first-half efforts five minutes before half-time.
Dolan got down the right hand side, his deep cross was headed against the post by Makhtar Gueye but Weimann, a fans favourite at Ashton Gate during his six years with the Robins, was quickest to react when he nodded in the rebound from close range.
Pears then rushed off his line and saved brilliantly from Anis Mehmeti to ensure Rovers went in level at the break.
The visitors made another strong start to the half after the restart. Dolan saw his next attempt blocked before Dominic Hyam attempted to flick in a cross but just failed to make contact.
In between those two Blackburn attempts, Twine fired a dipping effort over and the hosts went even closer just after the hour.
Robins head coach Liam Manning replaced Armstrong with Wells in the 61st minute and the substitute striker almost had an instant impact.
Max Bird put the Bermudian through with a ball over the top, he took a touch to control the ball before lobbing Pears but Callum Brittain got back just in time to clear before the ball crossed the line.
But Wells was not to be denied. In the 77th minute he was played in on goal again by fellow sub Joe Williams and this time he did find the net after his low effort took a touch off Hyam.
Scott Twine (left) netted his sixth goal of the season with a trademark free-kick
'I'm pleased the lads saw it out' - Manning
Bristol City boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:
"We took a bit of a hiding at their place earlier in the year so to respond today and win the game with two outstanding moments of quality is really pleasing.
"I've worked with Scott before so it's not my first season seeing him do it. He's done it numerous times. He relishes that. He steps up in the big moments and delivers.
"We played Wednesday, had a day less in recovery and the lads were flat out on their feet at the end which speaks volumes of what we've got in the group and the behaviours we want.
"We've dropped points from winning positions too many times this season so I'm pleased the lads saw it out."
Blackburn head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"The spirit the boys showed was outstanding - we had a couple of players drop out just before kick-off.
"We want to be competitive and play our style of football and against a good team be difficult to play against and I thought we were.
"It's important we stick together and keep playing like that and when we get a few more players back from injury and hopefully we can bring two or three good quality players into the group as well things will change."
Liam Manning after Bristol City's 2-1 win over Blackburn
