Joe Bryan's goal has given Bristol City a surprise 1-0 lead over Middlesbrough at half time of the teams' Championship clash at the Riverside.

The home side were unbeaten in four matches going into this clash and had the first sight of goal when Stewart Downing drove wide from distance in the early stages, but within a minute of that effort they were behind.

Bobby Reid and Aaron Wilbraham linked up down the left for City and when the latter teed up left-back Joe Bryan, the 21-year-old curled a an effort into the top corner.

That was the first time Middlesbrough had fallen behind all season, and they responded well initially with Downing having a goal disallowed after a high foot from Christian Stuani before Yanic Wildschut saw his shot saved by Ben Hamer.

City failed to win any of their first four games in all competitions but should have doubled their lead when Reid missed a glorious opportunity to mark his first league start since March 2014 with a goal, blazing the rebound over after Dimitrios Konstantopoulos had saved Wilbraham's first attempt.

Boro were suddenly hanging on, and Konstantopoulos had to produce a fine stop to keep out Jonathan Kodjia's effort which seemed bound for the top corner.

The home side began to threaten again as the half drew to a close, Downing firing wide and Hamer saving from Emilio Nsue, but they could not find an equaliser before the whistle.