Wolves open 10-point Championship lead after win at Bristol City

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves celebrate their second goal scored by Ryan Bennett Action Images/Alan Walter

LONDON (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers came from behind to beat promotion rivals Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate with Ryan Bennett earning the victory with a stoppage-time header in The Championship (second tier).

Bristol City came into Saturday's late kick off having taken 16 points from their last 18 available, a joint-high in the last six games, alongside Leeds United, with victory over Manchester United in the League Cup adding to the feel-good atmosphere around Ashton Gate.

However, despite taking the lead against Wolves -- who had Danny Batth sent off in the 14th minute -- through Bobby Reid, Wolves stormed back to snatch all three points.

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Willy Boly and Ruben Neves in action with Bristol City's Matty Taylor Action Images/Alan Walter

The dismissal of City goalkeeper Frank Fielding was the turning point, with Barry Douglas equalising shortly afterwards, before Bennett headed the last-gasp winner.

Tony Pulis tasted defeat in his first game as Middlesbrough manager after Robert Snodgrass’ third goal for Aston Villa earned Steve Bruce’s men a 1-0 victory at the Riverside.

Pulis was appointed on Boxing Day before the game against Bolton Wanderers, but watched on from the stands as Middlesbrough earned a second successive win.

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Bristol City's Matty Taylor in action with Wolves' Ruben Neves Action Images/Alan Walter

They could not build on that momentum on Saturday, though, as Snodgrass’ second-half header earned Villa the three points.

Sheffield United’s promotion bid continued to falter as former Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine earned Bolton a 1-0 win at Bramhall Lane, meaning Chris Wilder’s side have won just once in their last seven league games.

Bolton's win was their first on their travels in the second tier in 999 days since a 3-0 win over Cardiff City in April 2015.

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Ryan Bennett and John Ruddy celebrate at the end of the match Action Images/Alan Walter

Another promotion hopeful, Leeds suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at bottom side Birmingham City, with Jacques Maghoma’s late goal earning Birmingham a first win in eight at St Andrew’s. Fourteen of Birmingham’s last 16 wins in the Championship have been by a one-goal margin.

Hull will also be disappointed with their afternoon’s work after letting a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Fulham at the KCOM Stadium, meaning they have now lost 19 points from leading positions in the Championship this season. Only Brentford (21) have dropped more.

Substitute Aboubakar Kamara was the hero for Fulham after scoring both goals to salvage a point.

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Ryan Bennett scores their second goal Action Images/Alan Walter

Sunderland continued their improvement under former Wales coach Chris Coleman as Aiden McGeady’s strike secured a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, while managerless Sheffield Wednesday suffered a 2-0 defeat at Brentford.

Friday night saw Preston North End win 1-0 at Cardiff City and Millwall beat Queens Park Rangers by the same scoreline.

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Barry Douglas scores their first goal from a free kick Action Images/Alan Walter

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Rex Gowar)

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Ryan Bennett celebrates scoring their second goal Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Bristol City's Bobby Reid celebrates with Josh Brownhill after scoring their first goal Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Danny Batth is shown the red card and sent off by referee Peter Bankes Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Wolves' Diogo Jota in action with Bristol City's Nathan Baker Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Bristol City's Nathan Baker and Marlon Pack look dejected after Wolverhampton Wanderers' second goal Action Images/Alan Walter

Soccer Football - Championship - Bristol City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, Britain - December 30, 2017 Bristol City manager Lee Johnson Action Images/Alan Walter