Manager Nigel Pearson apologised to the Bristol City fans after two stoppage-time goals in 50 seconds by Nottingham Forest denied them a first home win of the season at Ashton Gate this season.

More importantly, instead of sitting in eighth place in the Sky Bet Championship, Tuesday’s 2-1 loss, combined with the results of Wednesday’s fixtures, dropped City to sixteenth in the tables ahead of tomorrow’s match at The Hawthorns against a West Bromwich Albion side who also lost in midweek, to Swansea City.

West Brom slipped to third place with their second loss of the season, but they remain unbeaten at home, while City have one of the better away records in the division with four wins on the road.

Bristol City were a few minutes away from securing a valuable three points on Tuesday after 18-year-old Alex Scott gave them a first-half lead when he followed up on a shot from Nahki Wells that was parried by the Forest goalkeeper to score his first senior goal from the rebound.

Wells, who returned to the starting line-up and played 83 minutes before he was substituted, went close with a couple of shots, a 35 yard effort that was inches too high and then minutes later a shot from inside the box that hit the upright.

The real drama was saved for stoppage time when Lyle Taylor netted twice — one from the penalty spot and another from a rebound that he put into an empty net — to break the hearts of the City players and fans.

It marked the third time this season that City have crumbled at home in stoppage time. They have not won a game in front of their home fans since January 26 when they beat Huddersfield 2-1 after Famara Diedhiou scored two goals midway through the first half.

“The bottom line is we’ve thrown away a very, very good situation," Pearson told Bristol Life after the latest home loss.

"To be stood here talking about a 2-1 defeat is really quite tough. My job now is to make sure we get the preparation right for the weekend.

"I’m not going to bemoan the situation; I’m not going to make excuses. It’s a game we should have come away from with three points but we’ve really thrown it away tonight and we’ve only got ourselves to blame."

Pearson was asked if he had a message for the supporters who have had to endure the disappointing run at home.

"Yes, I’ve got sympathy for them and they’re quite right to grumble, but if they want to grumble, grumble at me. Not the players," he said.

"We’re desperately wanting to give the fans something to be positive about. I thought the fans stuck with the team throughout the game and that’s important, but of course I understand their frustrations.

"It’s not an easy one for them, I know that. We have a great fan base, a very loyal fanbase and we’re not really giving them what they deserve at the moment and we all know that."