Last updated on .From the section Championship

Patrick Bamford's seventh goal of the season earned Leeds victory at Ashton Gate

Patrick Bamford scored his fourth goal in as many games as Leeds United beat Bristol City to maintain their push for promotion from the Championship.

The former Chelsea striker, signed from Middlesbrough last summer, scored the game's only goal when he converted Luke Ayling's knockdown from close range.

Marcelo Bielsa's side had slipped to third after Sheffield United's win over Rotherham United in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, but victory at Ashton Gate moved them back into the automatic promotion places.

Despite failing to add to Bamford's early strike, Leeds produced a controlled performance and were fully deserving of the three points.

Pablo Hernandez and Tyler Roberts both missed chances to make it 2-0, while Famara Diedhiou wasted City's best opportunity on the stroke of half-time, taking a heavy touch instead of shooting when well placed.

It was not until the final 10 minutes that Lee Johnson's team really looked like mustering an equaliser, but they were unable to find a way past a United defence marshalled by Liam Cooper, who became only the 12th man to captain Leeds 100 times.

The Whites' fourth win in five games leaves them two points behind leaders Norwich City, who beat Swansea City on Friday.

Bristol City, who handed a first start to 19-year-old forward Antoine Semenyo, slipped to seventh in the table after Derby County's draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa:

"It is a risk talking about even being safe in the top three at this stage. There are so many tough matches ahead.

"Today ended up a 50-50 game. In the first hour we could have scored more, but in the final 15 minutes our opponents could have got a draw. At the end they played lot of aerial balls into our box where the consequences of mistakes can be high.

"My team played with a lot of experience in that period when we couldn't launch counter attacks. Our goalkeeper Kiko Casilla brings serenity to the team because he does not make mistakes whatever situation he faces [and] Kalvin Phillips did well in a role protecting the back-four."

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I'm disappointed that we haven't taken at least a point as there were opportunities for us in the second half. We battled, we competed, but ultimately they were better than us on the day.

"They were very much on the front foot and aggressive and we knew that would be the case but didn't quite have the quality on the day to combat that in some areas. They're good at what they do. We have to learn that in the top games you can't give an inch.

"We have to improve on Tuesday night (against Ipswich) as it's a big game. The fans showed their discontent at half time, I'm not sure who that was directed at, me, the players or the referee, but we need them behind us on Tuesday."