Derby rally is too late to halt Bristol City

Nahki Wells scored his first goal for Bristol City as they held off a spirited comeback from Derby County to claim a thrilling 3-2 Sky Bet Championship victory at Ashton Gate.

The hosts took a 38th-minute lead through a powerful header from recent signing Wells, who was making his first start. It was 2-0 just before the break as Derby were again found wanting in the air. Famara Diedhiou’s header from a right-wing corner was blocked, but centre-back Filip Benkovic pounced to nod home.

Derby did not learn their lesson and Ashley Williams headed down another Niclas Eliasson cross for Diedhiou to volley in a third after 58 minutes.

It looked to be all over, but three minutes later Martyn Waghorn dived to head home a Max Lowe cross and spark a spell of intense Derby pressure. Chris Martin tapped home a low cross from Tom Lawrence in the 82nd minute to set up a frantic finish.

Sixth-placed Preston stay just ahead of Bristol City on goal difference after a 2-0 win at struggling Stoke. Alan Brown and Tom Barkhuizen, with his fourth goal in as many games, were the scorers.

Cardiff cruised to a 3-0 victory at relegation-threatened

Huddersfield. First-half goals from Josh Murphy and Will Vaulks did the bulk of the damage and Callum Paterson bagged a 69th-minute third to put the contest out of reach. Huddersfield are in 20th place, just five points above the relegation zone.

Luton gave their slim survival hopes a boost with a 1-0 win over

Sheffield Wednesday at Kenilworth Road, James Collins on target after earlier failing with a penalty. Worryingly for the visitors, it was their sixth defeat in nine league matches.