Nahki Wells impressed new manager Nigel Pearson with a goal and an assist as Bristol City ended a seven game losing streak with a 3-1 victory away to Middlesbrough today.

It’s been a February to forget for City whose six league losses this month saw them drop to fifteenth in the Sky Bet Championship table. However, with Pearman, who officially takes charge today, watching from the stands, City netted three goals first-half goals with Famara Diédhiou scoring twice and Wells the third.

The City slump, which also included a defeat to Premier League side Sheffield United in the FA Cup, cost manager Dean Holden his job after just seven months in charge.

City battled hard in the first half and were rewarded with three goals, the first, a header from Diédhiou in the 21st minute, his 50th goal for the club.

Diédhiou doubled the City lead in the 33rd minute following an assist by Wells who had been returned to the starting line-up.

Wells then justified his inclusion as he got on the scoresheet himself four minutes later with a left footed shot from close range.

Middlesbrough did prevent the shutout, though, scoring in the 80th minute through Dael Fry. Wells was eventually replaced with two minutes remaining.

The victory lifted City to twelfth in the standings ahead of their trip to fourth place Swansea City.

• Bermudian Kane Crichlow earned praise from his Watford Under-23 coach after scoring one and creating two others in their 4-2 home win over Millwall on Monday. Watford led 2-1 at the half courtesy of goals from Crichlow and Phoenix Patterson.

“Kane has been a bit below the levels he has set,” Riza said of the 20-year-old forward.

“It was nice to see him show what he's got. He took up the positions we asked of him, he worked really hard and then he scored one and created two.”

• Justin Donawa came on as an 83rd minute substitute for Solihull Moors as they lost 2-1 at home to Vanarama National League table toppers Torquay United.