Bristol City 4-3 Millwall: Scott Twine scores as Robins edge seven-goal thriller

Substitute Scott Twine volleyed an 88th-minute winner as Bristol City edged out Millwall 4-3 in a Championship thriller at Ashton Gate.

The hosts took the lead inside three minutes when Sinclair Armstrong got behind the Millwall defence on the right and his cross found Anis Mehmeti who netted with a right-footed volley from eight yards.

It was 2-0 in the 12th minute, the powerful Armstrong rising unmarked to net with a downward header from Max Bird's left-wing cross.

Millwall struck back after 51 minutes, Romain Esse tricking his way past a defender inside the box and burying a low right-footed shot past Max O'Leary.

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Three minutes later the Lions were level as Tom Bradshaw sent O'Leary the wrong way from the penalty spot after George Tanner had blocked a Duncan Watmore header with a hand.

Watmore then put Millwall ahead in the 64th minute with a quality strike, superbly caressing a high right-footed volley beyond O'Leary's dive from 12 yards.

But back came City, substitute Fally Mayulu exchanging passes with Bird before sending a low drive just inside the far post with 12 minutes remaining.

Twine's winner came the day after he completed a permanent move from Burnley, having been on loan at Ashton Gate last season. The midfielder got on the end of a Joe Williams cross from the right to score from the edge of the six-yard box.

It was enough to settle a see-saw contest in which both teams attacked with gusto, but showed worrying signs of frailty at the back.

City head coach Liam Manning selected the starting line-up which took a point at Hull last Saturday, while Neil Harris also named an unchanged team from Millwall's opening Championship fixture.

The home side made a fast start and were rewarded with the early two-goal lead, capitalising on the two clear chances they created.

Millwall grew into the game and almost pulled a goal back after 24 minutes when George Honeyman's cross from the left found Ryan Leonard unmarked at the far post. His shot back across goal struck the inside of an upright and bounced kindly into the arms of O'Leary.

Manning's men then reasserted their early dominance with Bird firing wide after a clever turn in midfield and Mehmeti doing the same at the end of a fast break involving Armstrong.

But it was a different story at the start of the second half as Millwall came out fighting and quickly wiped out the deficit before going in front.

City looked alarmingly vulnerable for a spell, but then summoned the spirit for a grandstand finish.

Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen had to make a brilliant low save from Mayulu to prevent the rampant Robins notching a fifth in the closing stages.

The managers

Bristol City's Liam Manning:

"I go through the same emotions as the fans in a game like that, the highs one minute and frustration the next.

"The challenge for me is to stay in the present, which isn't always easy. If you allow your emotions to take over and get carried away you are not able to make the changes you need in terms of tactics and substitutions.

"Fortunately, I have a good group of staff around me who keep me focused and that helped today.

"We made a terrific start, with Sinclair Armstrong showing what he is all about and the inswinging cross for his goal was a moment of real quality.

"We knew Millwall would come out for the second half and be even more aggressive and we didn't do well enough to combat that.

"The penalty was given for handball, even though it hit our player in the chest. But having gone behind our players showed a real togetherness and the fans stuck behind us.

"We have worked hard this summer to increase our attacking quality and have some exciting players. To be able to introduce someone of Scott Twine's ability from the bench is great."

Millwall's Neil Harris:

"There were some choice words at half-time, but for 75 minutes, apart from conceding two sloppy goals, I thought we were pretty comfortable.

"I can't praise the players enough for the way they fought back from two goals down, but Bristol City were able to introduce quality players from the bench and in the end that makes the difference.

"We have scored five goals in two league games without having anything to show for it. The fans can see the intent is there, but we have to get the balance right between attack and defence.

"I hope to bring some new players to the club before the transfer window closes. It was evident today that we are short on numbers and need to do something about it.

"There were plenty of positives. We scored three good goals. Romain Esse, at 19-years-old, has been a real spark for us, Duncan Watmore's strike was brilliant and Tom Bradshaw is off the mark.

"But I had to name two goalkeepers on my bench for the first time and Bristol City's was a lot stronger."

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