Andi man points to brighter future

ANDI WEIMANN’S last-gasp winner was his 50th City goal and provided boss Nigel Pearson with concrete proof of progress.

The victory took the Robins past last season’s tally of 55 Championship points and had the boss talking with excitement about the prospect of a top-six challenge next year.

“I think our fans have seen genuine signs of progress during what has been a difficult season at times and now we have the points to back that up,” he said.

“With so many young players now having gained experience in the Championship, I believe the right additions in the summer can make us promotion contenders.”

Substitute Weimann pounced in the first minute of stoppage time to fire home after Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson stretched to palm out Kal Naismith’s shot.

Tommy Conway had put City in front in the 15th minute with a powerful header. But Rotherham looked to have earned a point when Jordan Hugill sent Max O’leary the wrong way with a 67th-minute penalty.

Pearson collected a yellow card for protesting, but added: “I’ve no idea what it was for unless it was the fourth official imploding.”

Rotherham boss Matt Taylor said: “We were off the pace in the first half but in the end it could easily have been our day.

“It feels like a kick in the stomach to concede so late but we have to bounce back.”

BRISTOL CITY: O’leary 7; Tanner 6, Vyner 6, Naismith 7, Pring 7; King 6 (Williams (76) 6), James 7; Cornick 6 (Sykes (73) 6), Scott 6 (Weimann (73) 7), Conway 7 (Wells (84) 6); Bell 8 ROTHERHAM: Johannson 7; Peltier 6 (Harding (55) 6), Humphreys 6, Blackett 5 (Wood (46) 6), Bramall 6; Lindsay 7, Coventry 6 (Rathbone (55) 6); Ogbene 7, Quina 6 (Ferguson (80) 6), Fosu-henry 6; Hugill 7 (Kelly (68) 7) STAR MAN: Sam Bell – The young City striker’s pace made him a constant threat.

Josh Smith 6