Bristol City were comprehensively beaten at Ashton Gate by Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough as a Taylor Moore mistake gifted the visitors three points.
George Saville’s goal in the 73rd minute proved decisive in the fixture after Taylor Moore was caught out from Dan Bentley’s goal kick.
The ex-City loanee pressed and stole possession before comfortably slotting past the ex-Brentford stopper to score the goal that decided the fixture.
Bristol City were denied the chance to level from the spot after Tyreeq Bakinson appeared to be pushed in the back in the area, but referee Tim Robinson denied the Robin’s appeals.
“I have to say though, it was a stonewall penalty against Tyreeq Bakinson, how he hasn’t given that is beyond me.”
Holden in the post match press conference
City had previously unbeaten this season as manager Dean Holden’s side sat pretty on top of the Championship but were outdone by Warnock’s Boro side.
Jamie Paterson had the best chance for the home side in the first half having nutmegged Jonny Howson, but his left footed shot drifted wide of the post.
Bentley had to tip over a strike from Chuba Akpom as the Boro striker shot from a tight angle slightly suspiring the returning City number one.
Paterson then once again twisted in the box but saw his shot from a tight angle comfortably blocked behind for City’s only corner of the half.
The away side had the better of the chances in the first half with Akpom missing the opportunity to turn home a Saville cross late on.
Neither side made in changes in the break, but City appeared to start with a bit more intensity to their game beginning to break through the resolute Middlesbrough defence.
10 minutes into the second half City captain Alfie Mawson completed a brilliant sliding tackle to dispossess Djed Spence but suffered what appeared to be a severe injury with the captain stretchered off.
Club captain Tomas Kalas replaced him making his first significant minutes since a shoulder injury against Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup.
Nahki Wells then latched onto a Chris Martin header from a throw-in, but the Bermudian international’s volley sailed comfortably over the crossbar in what summed up City’s attacking threat.
Boro were less dominant in the second half but produced the one clear chance they required pouncing on City’s defensive negligence.
Middlesbrough had ended Reading’s 100% record last weekend and now also stopped City maintaining their unbeaten record in the Championship.
The injury to Fulham loanee Mawson could be damning for Bristol City who don’t have another senior defender with Nathan Baker out until the festive period.
With the window now closed Bristol City may begin to wonder whether they should’ve recruited another centre-back especially having seen Severnside rivals Cardiff City sign Leicester’s Filip Benkovic.
Bristol City next face Swansea City on Saturday, October 24 as they aim to regain their form and return to winning ways ahead of a congested schedule.
Middlesbrough stay in the south as they travel to Cardiff City as Warnock faces his old side and they attempt to build on an impressive win against the Robins.
Dan Carter Sport 
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