Adebola scored twice in the second half to hand Bristol City victory
Bristol City striker Dele Adebola has said the club's "winning mentality" has helped maintain their current run of form with a 2-1 win over Charlton.
The Nigerian-born 33-year-old scored a quick-fire brace early in the second half as City came from behind to win.
"The lads know that we can win games because we're doing it on a regular basis," he told BBC Sport.
"And you don't like to break these things so you've got to fight tooth and nail to keep it going."
It was the first time City have come from behind to win in the league this season, and their fifth victory in six matches moved them to within five points of the play-offs.
But Gary Johnson's side had to work hard against the division's bottom club, toiling through a lacklustre first-half with little direction against a resilient Addicks side who took a deserved lead.
"The pace of the game for us was very slow and I think that was largely down to them," reasoned Adebola. "They came and sat behind the ball and made it difficult for us.
"The gaffer didn't say much at half-time, but in that silence you know exactly what he's thinking and it's to step up our game."
Manager Johnson admitted to giving the team a 'look' after enduring a poor opening 45 minutes in which he watched them 'lose themselves'.
Johnson's half-time 'look' at his team had the desired effect
He said: "I've had a few half-times where I verbally get into them, but this time they knew how I felt, they knew we hadn't played well and being 1-0 down we had to get into Charlton straight away."
The hosts profited immediately from their new-found energy, rushing into the Londoners with eager effort and greater quality and commitment.
Charlton's defence had the tensile strength of a snowflake as City turned up the heat, and Adebola was the beneficiary.
He climbed high to head home a Liam Fontaine cross from the left on 49 minutes, and within four minutes it was 2-1 when he slotted in Bradley Orr's ball from the right.
It was the 12th time in his career that Adebola had notched a first-team brace, and while there were few opportunities to secure a first hat-trick the goals more than justified City's decision to stonewall a deadline day offer for the veteran.
"We turned down a bid for him from Nottingham Forest, and we turned down a bid for Marvin Elliott," said Johnson.
"We've worked very hard to get the squad we've got at the moment. We're just at the point where we're getting a bit of a head of steam and at that time you want to keep your best players. Dele's one of them, as is Marvin Elliott.
"Sometimes it's unfortunate for them, but let's be honest, it was two other Championship clubs and we're a Championship club.
"The pair of them understand and I'm pleased Dele got his two goals because that will make him feel better.
"It's always nice to know that other people are interested, but sometimes you just have to accept, as they both have, very well, that the club have said no and they're part of our plans.
"Dele gives us pace and power, he gives you a presence and he's very much a part of what we do."
Adebola, who has a new contract offer on the table, added: "The chairman and the manager showed their faith in me and they want me here.
We can't let teams pull away at this stage of the season. We need to be up there and the teams just on the edge of the play-offs must be feeling the pressure now
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson
"I'm playing, I'm doing well, the lads are doing well and we've got a chance of being promoted. It would be hard not to want to stay."
His goals ensured that last year's beaten play-off finalists are back in the play-off hunt when just six weeks ago they spent more time looking over their shoulders down the table instead of up it.
Adebola sat out the pre-Christmas home defeat by Burnley which saw the club drop to 18th, but he returned for the next game against Watford, scored off the bench and collectively and individually things have improved for City ever since.
"A lot of clubs have dips in form," he said. "We had ours and we've come back stronger, picking up the right results and this was a vital win for us.
"We can't let teams pull away at this stage of the season. We need to be up there and the teams just on the edge of the play-offs must be feeling the pressure now.
"The games are just as important now as they would be right at the end of the season and we've got to keep this run of momentum going and keep picking up points."
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