Bristol City surrendered a lead in the final stages at Ashton Gate as Wolves substitute Sean Neave scored twice to complete a 2-1 Championship comeback. The defeat was particularly severe for the Robins, who had protected Scott Twine's outstanding first-half free-kick for most of the evening before the visitors turned the match around.
Twine gave City the advantage in the 34th minute, recovering after being fouled around 25 yards from goal to send a right-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Jose Sa. The ball curved away from Sa's dive and into the top corner, providing the principal moment of quality in a first half that had otherwise seen Wolves look more threatening without converting their pressure.
Before the goal, Wolves had created the clearer openings. Adam Armstrong tested Brad Collins with a shot that the City goalkeeper dealt with comfortably, while Lorent Tolaj headed wide for the hosts after Rio Cardines delivered from the right. The pre-match fireworks had offered the early spectacle around Ashton Gate; Twine's strike finally supplied the action on the pitch.
Wolves increase the pressure
City responded positively after moving in front, competing more quickly and defending with notable determination. Clear chances remained limited, however, and Wolves returned after the interval with greater attacking purpose. Their travelling support was gathered behind the goal at the end towards which the visitors advanced, and the pressure gradually began to tell.
City survived one major scare in the 57th minute. Rodrigo Gomes, introduced for Marshall Munetsi after Munetsi had required treatment for a head injury shortly before half-time, broke through the centre. He hesitated before shooting, allowing Cam Pring to make a recovery tackle that denied Wolves an equaliser.
Collins was called upon again shortly afterwards. He spilled a low attempt from Rafiki Said in the 61st minute but recovered quickly enough to smother Armstrong's follow-up. Wolves continued to probe, while City sought to preserve the narrow advantage that had kept the home side in front for nearly an hour.
Neave changes the contest
The decisive sequence began with eight minutes of normal time remaining. Kieran Trippier sent a volleyed cross into the area from the right and Armstrong's first-time effort was saved by Collins. Neave reacted fastest to the rebound, finishing from close range to draw Wolves level. Just six minutes later, the substitute scored again, heading in after Ladislav Krejci directed a Trippier free-kick across the face of goal.
The late turnaround lifted Wolves to second place and extended their unbeaten run to five matches. For City, the result brought a painful conclusion to a game in which Twine's free-kick had appeared set to reward a disciplined home performance. The main developments were:
- Scott Twine put Bristol City ahead with a 34th-minute free-kick.
- Sean Neave equalised in the 82nd minute after Collins saved Armstrong's shot.
- Neave completed his double six minutes later with a close-range header.
- Wolves moved up to second in the Championship after the victory.
| Moment | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 34 minutes | Twine gives City the lead |
| 82 minutes | Neave levels for Wolves |
| 88 minutes | Neave completes the comeback |
"We deserved the win. We were the better team."
Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto said afterwards that his side had created numerous situations in the opening stages but had not attacked the ball effectively. He added that his players had returned for the second half with more aggression and a more direct approach, making better use of the spaces between City's centre-back and full-back. He also credited the substitutes for helping maintain the visitors' momentum until the final whistle.
Michael Skubala had made two changes to the Bristol City side that won 3-2 at Bolton, bringing Sam Bell and Twine into the starting line-up. The result means that the positive outcome from that previous away fixture was followed by a home defeat in which the Robins were unable to protect a lead against a Wolves side that finished the stronger team.
