DOHERTY’S LAST-GASP WINNER
KENNY Jackett was happy to back Matt Doherty’s claims to the winning goal, even though there was a suggestion a defender got the final touch.
The Wolves boss admitted he couldn’t tell from the dug-out whether Doherty’s far post volley from a Bakary Sako cross had crossed the line before Aden Flint’s despairing attempt to clear.
But Jackett said: “Matt is definitely claiming it, as any player would in that situation. And he deserves the credit for being in such a good position to score.
“In the end the game could have gone either way as both goalkeepers have made fantastic saves.
“We had opportunities to be more than one goal ahead at half-time, but Bristol were always going to have a spell and we had to weather it after they equalised.
“They had a passionate crowd behind them and we were under pressure.To then show the character to bounce back and take all three points said a lot about the players.
“It was a big win for us against a team with a lot of talented players and a very organised coach.”
Sako blasted Wolves in front with a superbly struck left-footed free kick from the corner of the box on 22 minutes following a foul on the impressive Kevin Doyle.
But against the run of play Jay Emmanuel-Thomas slotted home a 53rd minute equaliser after Richard Stearman’s error had allowed the impressive Sam Baldock to cross low from the right.
Wolves had controlled the opening 45 minutes, forcing several saves from Frank Fielding and only lacking a killer instinct in front of goal.
But Bristol stepped up a gear after equalising and Wanderers keeper Carl Ikeme made a brilliant double save from Baldock on 63 minutes.
It was matched by Fielding’s reaction stop from Doyle’s shot seven minutes before Doherty settled it, five minutes from time.
Bristol City head coach Sean O’Driscoll admitted: “Our back-four played far too deep in the first half and that allowed Wolves to dominate us.
“At half time I told the players that if they were going to lose at least be brave about it.
“We made the game much tighter after the break and might even have won it, but for a brilliant save from Sam Baldock.
“I would have been happier if we had played as we did in the second half for 90 minutes, but Wolves are a quality team at this level and at least we matched them for part of the game.
“We need to strengthen our squad, but have to do so without blocking opportunities for our young players.”
Of his decision to substitute experienced midfielder Neil Kilkenny after only 36 minutes, O’Driscoll added: “The way we were playing meant we couldn’t utilise Neil’s passing.We had to get a better balance and
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