Liam Manning saluted Bristol City‘s “grit” after they ended their winless run on the road with a 2-0 victory at Millwall.
Second-half goals from unlikely duo Zak Vyner and Harry Cornick fired City to a first win away from home in 10 matches and lifted them right into the play-off picture, level with on points with sixth-placed West Brom.
Long-serving defender Vyner scored just his fourth goal in 221 appearances for the Robins to them ahead.
Then striker Cornick, making just his third substitute appearance of a frustrating season, wrapped up the victory with seven minutes remaining.
Liam Manning
“I thought the lads were terrific at what is a difficult place to come to,” said Robins boss Manning.
“In the second half the first goal came at a really good time for us and we showed a real grit, a real resilience to get through it.
“I’ve been on at Zak for quite a while about his goals. He’s got to carry that threat so I’m delighted he got it.
“It’s been a tough year for Harry. He’s not had the minutes he would have wanted but I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person. I’m delighted for him.”
Millwall were back in Championship action on the back of their acrimonious FA Cup exit at Crystal Palace on Saturday, where goalkeeper Liam Roberts’ reckless challenge put Eagles striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta in hospital.
On Monday Millwall issued a statement condemning “abhorrent online abuse” suffered by Roberts in the aftermath of the incident.
Their defiant fans, criticised for chanting “let him die” while Mateta was receiving treatment on the pitch, held a minute’s applause for Roberts in the eighth minute – corresponding to when he was sent off – while singing “there’s only one Liam Roberts”.
However, that was pretty much all they had to shout about after a flat performance from their team, who barely registered a shot on target.
Alex Neil
“We lacked cutting edge,” said boss Alex Neil.
“If you look at their goals, one’s from a corner and one’s a goal kick. It’s not as if they carved through us, it was just basics.
“That’s got nothing to do with how we are set up. The biggest frustration is the basics cost us the game without Bristol having to do too much.
“I thought we were better in the second half, so that’s frustrating. We can’t dwell on it too much, I don’t thing we did much wrong.”
