Bristol City 2 Middlesbrough 1

TWO goals from Nicky Maynard condemned a disappointing Boro to their first league defeat of the season, writes GORDON COX from Ashton Gate.

Result apart, it was a proud day for David Wheater as he was named captain for the first time in squad crammed full of Academy products.

Just five players in the 18-man squad cost money, with only three in the starting line-up, the two on the bench were two of three most expensive.

Julio Arca was the only outfield player over 24-years old, Jeremie Aliadiere the oldest outfield player on the bench aged 26, the average age of the starting line up being a few weeks short of 23.

Including Danny Coyne, 35, the average age of the squad was 22.77, or roughly 22 years, nine months 24 days in English.

Jonathan Grounds replaced Robert Huth in the centre of defence with Andrew Taylor returning to left-back, the only change from the side which beat Doncaster seven days ago.

The City side showed four changes from the side beaten here by Carlisle United on Wednesday evening. Given the scathing comments made by Gary Johnson following what he described as, "the worst performance in eight years," just four changes was perhaps a surprise.

Out went Christian Ribeiro, Gavin Williams, Lee Johnson and John Akinde. In came Jamie McCombe, Brian Wilson, Paul Hartley and Nicky Maynard.

The home side started brightly and for a moment it looked as though a well-weighted pass from Cole Skuse from just inside his own half had sent Danny Haynes away. But spin on the ball and reading of the game allowed Wheater time to get across and clear.

Boro created a fine chance with seven minutes played as Arca, from midway inside his own half, swept a ball forward and picked out Marvin Emnes who in turn quickly released Leroy Lita - booed by City fans on the return to his first club. Great work took him past his closest marker inside the penalty area, but he went for glory with a close-range shot from an impossible angle leaving better placed Emnes frustrated as the effort was blocked.

Boro were using their possession better than when City had the ball, but all too often Lita and Emnes would contest the same areas. A low cross from Tony McMahon fizzed through the City penalty area and was almost turned into his own goal by City skipper Louis Carey before Adam Johnson was sent through the middle by Emnes who had pounced on a stray ball from the City rearguard who had moved to within 20 yards of the halfway line.

When Grounds slipped midway inside his own half Haynes was left clear but out wide. Cutting in from the right he fired a low shot across the face of goal and wide.

Determination from Taylor deep in the City half won the ball back for Boro and when Williams took over and fed Yeates a half chance was created, but Dean Gerken was equal to the goalbound shot which came in from the Dubliner from and angled 15 yards.

Williams was caught in possession when play swung to the other end and Nicky Maynard took advantage. But entering the penalty area he pushed the ball too far and Grounds produced a fine covering tackle before telling his team mate what he thought.

Boro almost took the lead in the final minute of the half when Wheater rose high on the edge of the six-yard box to meet a Johnson cross and head against the bar.

Half-time: Bristol 0 Middlesbrough 0

In the first attack of the second half Boro were breached when Carey rose to meet a free-kick, but his effort was comfortably saved and the City skipper needed stitches after a clash of heads with Wheater.

But Gary Johnson's first change was further up field as Haynes was replaced by Akinde.

City enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening 10 minutes of the half as Boro found it difficult to get into their stride in a game which had more pace than quality.

It was Coyne again in the thick of the action as Maynard shot from the edge of the area, but he had no chance as he conceded in the league for the first time this season.

With 63 minutes played Nicky Maynard took advantage as Grounds slipped when contesting possession just up from the right-hand edge of the Boro penalty area and displayed why he is City's record signing when curling a fine shot way out of the reach of the Boro goalkeeper.

A weak Johnson free-kick served no purpose other than to set up a quick City break which ended when Akinde, who had sped away down the left, saw a low cross deflected for a corner.

Passing the 70 minute mark Boro, without a shot to date in the second half, made a change with Jeremie Aliadiere replacing Emnes.

It was looking a forlorn task for Boro until a chance out of nothing came on 79 minutes as Aliadiere headed into the penalty area, Carey handled and Adam Johnson sent the ball down the middle from the spot with Gerken diving away to his left.

Minutes later Boro won a corner on the left and Yeates delivered well, the ball flying low and untouched across the edge of the six-yard box.

With four minutes remaining Boro had a great chance to go into the lead fir the first time and land a telling, possibly fatal blow as Wheater launched long and the City back line was caught out. The ball sat up nicely for Aliadiere a couple of yards inside the penalty area but he shot wildly and horribly over the bar.

And in a repeat of events at the City Ground on Tuesday night when Aliadiere missed a chance to wrap the game up and Forest scored two minutes later, so City took the lead in the first minute of injury time with a long ball over the top which Nicky Maynard read better than Wheater, took control and smashed a low drive beyond Coyne from 14 yards.

*Boro's U18s drew 0-0 away to Aston Villa this afternoon in a keenly contest game in the Midlands.

Bristol City Gerken; Fontaine, McAllister, Carey (Capt.), McCombe, Elliott, Wilson, Skuse, Hartley, Haynes (Akinde 51), Maynard. Unused subs: Basso (gk); Orr, Johnson, Sproule, Ribeiro, Blackman.

Middlesbrough Coyne; McMahon, Wheater (Capt.), Grounds, Taylor, Yeates, Williams, Arca, A Johnson, Emnes (Aliadiere 71), Lita. Unused subs: Steele (gk); Hoyte, Hines, Bennett, Walker, Franks.

Referee Mr Russell Booth, Nottinghamshire.

Bookings
Bristol City Haynes 9, foul.

Middlesbrough McMahon 23, foul; Arca 66, foul.

Attendance 14,402 (1,030 Boro)

Conditions Warm, sunny and breezy.

Website Boro Man of the Match Julio Arca