Bristol City 3-1 Birmingham City

Bristol City maintained their Championship play-off hopes and kept Birmingham City in relegation trouble with victory over Blues at Ashton Gate.

Marlon Pack's wonderful curling free-kick put the hosts ahead, before Bobby Reid fired in his 20th goal of the season to double the lead.

Birmingham striker Lukas Jutkiewicz powered in his third goal in three games to make it 2-1 before half-time.

But Matt Taylor slid in a third late on to seal the win for Bristol City.

In a game full of chances for Blues, Jeremie Boga and Jacques Maghoma wasted excellent opportunities before the break, while Jutkiewicz nodded inches wide in the second half.

The victory was only Bristol City's fourth in 2018, a run which has seen them drop outside the top six.

Out of their four remaining matches, the Robins face pivotal fixtures against play-off rivals Middlesbrough on Saturday at the Riverside and finish the season at home against Sheffield United.

Blues went into the game in good form under Garry Monk, having picked up 10 points from a possible 12.

But despite a spirited performance, their 24th defeat of the campaign leaves them three points above Barnsley and the relegation zone. The Tykes also have a game in hand and superior goal difference.

Birmingham have a tough run-in with a visit to leaders Wolves on Sunday, and then games against Sheffield United, QPR and Fulham.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson:

"The starting eleven gave exactly what we needed to give to the crowd. Birmingham were in good form, so it was tough, but I think we caught them on the hop with our style tweak.

"I was pleased with the boys and the subs that came on.

"It's a big game on Saturday. Everyone in the hunting pack knows how important each win is. It's time to be bold, for bold actions and bold decisions."

Birmingham City boss Garry Monk:

"Bristol City were more clinical with their chances. We had more than enough chances to score the goals and get a result here.

"You have to take your chances at any level and especially in the situation we are. One of the problems coming in here was that the team wasn't creating enough, but we've addressed that.

"We feel it's an opportunity missed, but we're lucky in a sense where the other results have gone our way so we're in the same position as we were before the game but with one game less."