Nahki Wells emerged from the substitutes’ bench to score his seventh goal of the season last night, but it was not enough to prevent Bristol City losing 3-2 away to high-flying Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship.

Wells, back among the reserves after the weekend loss to Derby County, was one of three changes by manager Dean Holden in the 72nd minute in a late effort to salvage something from the game after Brentford extended their lead to 3-1 through a strike from Saman Ghoddos seven minutes earlier.

Wells scored in the 90th minute, converting from close range after a charged-down pass was diverted in his direction. However, it proved to be too late.

City had stunned their hosts by taking the lead after three minutes through defender Zak Vyner from close range. The West London club equalised in the 27th minute through Sergi Canos before Ivan Toney, the Championship’s leading scorer, gave them the lead five minutes into the second half with his 20th goal of the season.

Ghoddos’s strike was Brentford’s 48th goal of the campaign — the most in the division. The win moves Brentford ahead of Swansea City into second place and within four points of leaders Norwich City, who drew 0-0 with Millwall on Tuesday.

For City, this was their sixth straight league defeat away from home and a lost opportunity to gain ground on slumping Bournemouth, who sit sixth three points ahead in the final play-off position, but sacked manager Jason Tindall yesterday after only six months in the job in the wake of a four-match losing streak in the Championship.

They can console themselves in the knowledge that Saturday sees a return to Ashton Gate — where they have won four straight in the league — for the visit of Cardiff City.