Scott Twine makes the difference as Bristol City sink Southampton

Scott Twine netted a second-half double as Bristol City came from behind to go fourth in the Sky Bet Championship table with a 3-1 victory over Southampton at Ashton Gate.

The Saints took the lead on the half hour when Adam Armstrong broke clear onto a precise through-ball from Shea Charles and deftly chipped advancing goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

But it took City just three minutes to level, Anis Mehmeti converting a similar chance from Rob Dickie’s deflected pass, this time with an unerring right-footed shot from 12 yards when left with only Alex McCarthy to beat.

Twine shot the hosts ahead on 57 minutes arriving unchallenged to net from close range after Zak Vyner’s shot from the edge of the box had deflected off a Saints player and spun back off a post.

Twine was on target again seven minutes later as wretched Saints defending allowed him plenty of space to race away and chip past the unprotected McCarthy.

It was a special night for Vyner, making his 219th Championship appearance for City, a club record.

Southampton made a fast start which saw Cameron Archer shoot over and Armstrong have a low drive saved by the diving Vitek.

City were second best for the first 20 minutes and head coach Gerhard Struber took the opportunity to gather his side on the touchline during a break in play for treatment to a Saints player.

The hosts only started to click as an attacking force after Armstrong had broken the deadlock. Mehmeti quickly equalised and caused the visitors plenty of problems leading up to the break.

Armstrong shot over for Saints and Neto Borges headed wide for City, who also went close through a Mark Sykes drive that flashed wide.

However, Southampton almost grabbed a half-time lead when Archer broke away only to see his shot hit Vitek in the face and bounce clear.

The visitors threatened again at the start of the second half, Leo Scienza cutting in from the left to clatter the crossbar with a fierce curling strike from 20 yards and Charles heading over from a left wing corner.

Again City responded, Mehmeti hitting a powerful right-foot effort from 25 yards that whistled just wide. Twine’s first goal followed soon after Struber sent on Sinclair Armstrong for Emil Riis and the substitute’s pace was soon causing Saints problems.

Visiting boss Will Still responded to Twine’s second goal with a triple substitution, while City gave a debut to 17-year-old Academy midfielder Leo Pecover as a replacement for Twine, who left the pitch to a standing ovation.

Armstrong forced a near post save from McCarthy as Struber’s men finished the game a lot stronger than they had begun it.