Former Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan's long-range strike put Sheffield Wednesday in front
Barry Bannan scored one and made another as Sheffield Wednesday beat Bristol City to help keep the Championship play-off race wide open.
Bannan's 30-yard stunner and Lucas Joao's lob, after a brilliant pass from the Wednesday midfielder, was enough to give the Owls victory at Hillsborough.
Jay Dasilva came closest to scoring for the visitors, striking the inside of the upright with a wayward cross and putting another effort wide of the near post.
The result not only leaves City's top-six hopes in the balance but also ensures Wednesday remain just about in the mix, with Steve Bruce's side now four points off sixth-placed Derby County.
Middlesbrough's defeat at Nottingham Forest, coupled with the result at Hillsborough, means five teams remain in the hunt for the final spot - with Aston Villa now having sealed their place in the play-offs.
After a controlled opening 15 minutes, Bannan set the platform for Wednesday's win with a brilliant strike that left City goalkeeper Max O'Leary clutching at thin air.
The second goal came after the Robins' best spell of attacking play, with 29-year-old Bannan turning provider for Joao, whose lob was helped over his own line by the backtracking Dasilva.
City's best chance to halve the deficit came in the final 10 minutes, when Cameron Dawson produced back-to-back saves to deny Famara Diedhiou and Josh Brownhill.
But Wednesday held on relatively comfortably to complete their first league double over the Robins since 1972-73.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce:
"I couldn't wish for anything more from them. There were a lot of tired bodies. We had a few mistakes towards the end but overall, I was able to make changes and freshen the side up and it paid off.
"I don't think you're going to get a couple of goals as good as that in any league so I'm obviously very pleased.
"In the first half we looked a very decent team. The second half became a bit pedestrian and Bristol City were throwing themselves at us."
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson:
"It's definitely an opportunity missed. We thought we could have taken the game to Sheffield Wednesday, but we didn't do enough in the first 15 minutes.
"We weren't bright enough, we weren't sharp enough and we couldn't stop Bannan dictating things. But after that I thought we were the better side that played the better football.
"We can't keep giving ourselves a mountain to climb by gifting the opposition the first 10 minutes.
"I couldn't fault the players' attitude, energy and will to win but unfortunately we didn't demonstrate the composure and quality to take the chances that we had."
