CAMBRIDGE Mullin 57, 65, Knibbs 90+1

PAUL MULLIN is close to making history after his second-half brace stunned the Stags.

The striker now has 22 goals for the leaders, two short of David Crown’s league record for Cambridge from 1985-86.

U’s boss Mark Bonner, who saw Harvey Knibbs net the third, said: “He just continues to be in those moments and score those chances that we’re creating.”

BRISTOL CITY are set to name Nigel Pearson as their new manager after being snubbed by Eddie Howe.

Pearson (above) has verbally agreed to take charge at Ashton Gate until the end of the campaign. The ex-leicester chief has been out of work since being axed by Watford at the end of last season.

City sounded out former Bournemouth boss Howe after sacking Dean Holden last week.

But Howe, who quit the Cherries in the summer, is saving himself for a Premier League job.

Pearson will take over a team devoid of confidence after another defeat against Barnsley.

Carlton Morris struck a 67th-minute winner for the visitors – his third goal in as many games, all of which have ended in victory for Valerien Ismael’s resurgent side.

But the last two were scored as a substitute and Morris, signed last month from Norwich City, is keen to secure a regular starting place.

He said: “I am not the type to question selection and I won’t be banging on the manager’s door demanding to be picked.

“We are winning, which means he is getting things right. My aim is to keep pressing my case by playing well and scoring goals.”

The 6ft 2in former England Under-19 international was one of three substitutes sent on by

Ismael in the 57th minute after Barnsley had failed to find a finish to match their dominance.

“He told us to go on and change the game,” said Morris.

“We had missed some chances and I will happily settle for 20 tap-ins if it helps us keep picking up points.”

BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 6, Mariappa 5, Kalas 6, Moore 5, Hunt 5, Vyner 5 (Paterson 69, 5), Lansbury 5 (Bakinson 57, 5), Sessegnon 5 (Nagy 75), Semenyo 5 (Wells 69, 5), Diedhiou 5, Palmer 5

BARNSLEY: Collins 7, Sollbauer 7 (Sibbick 75, 6), Helik 8, Andersen 7, Brittain 7, Palmer 7, Mowatt 8, Styles 7 (Williams 57, 6), Chaplin 7 (Morris 57, 6), Dike 7 (Frieser 82), Woodrow 6 (Adeboyejo 57, 6)

REFEREE: James Linington

MOTM ALEX MOWATT (BARNSLEY)