Nahki Wells and his Bristol City team-mates suffered a 3-0 loss away to Birmingham City last night at St Andrews to slip from fifteenth to eighteenth in the Championship standings.

Wells, who had a couple of chances to score, was substituted in the 82nd minute as City slumped to their fourth loss in five games while the Blues climbed from fourteenth to thirteenth with their third straight win.

City, who picked up their first win at home in nine months with victory over Barnsley on Saturday, were looking to carry on the momentum with another away victory. However, it was Birmingham, with just two wins at home this season, who took control of this match with veteran striker Troy Deeney, formerly of Watford, having a hand in their first two goals.

Riley McGree put City ahead in the fourteenth minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner after an assist from Deeney.

Wells shot wide from inside the box in the 61st minute before Birmingham doubled their lead six minutes later when Scott Hogan found the bottom corner with a left-footed shot following a headed pass from Deeney.

Deeney was substituted in the 73rd minute but it was the home side who scored again in the 76th minute to make it 3-0, Gary Gardner finding the target with his header from inside the box. Wells was substituted six minutes later, replaced by youngster Alex Scott, as City tried to offer a late response.

City return to the Midlands on Saturday to meet fourth place Coventry City in their last game before the international break.

City, hoping to be one of the promotion contenders, are nine points behind the last play-off place ahead of remaining Championship matches tonight. They are also now just ten points and just four places ahead of the relegation zone.