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Jamie Paterson and Famara Diedhiou provided the assists for each other's goals at Wigan

Jamie Paterson marked his Bristol City return with a goal and an assist as the wobbling promotion hopefuls battled to victory at lowly Wigan Athletic.

Paterson, making his first appearance since being recalled from a loan spell with Derby County, poked City in front just as a drab contest looked to be drifting towards a goalless draw.

He then turned provider two minutes later, lifting a clever pass through for Famara Diedhiou to brilliantly slot first time past goalkeeper David Marshall.

The two quickfire goals were enough to arrest a sequence of five defeats in six matches for Lee Johnson's side, who had risen to fourth after winning at Fulham at the start of December.

Meanwhile, the result stretched Wigan's winless run at home to seven games and left them 23rd, just two points above bottom-placed Luton Town.

Former Nottingham Forest and Walsall midfielder Paterson, allowed to join the Rams on a season-long deal on deadline day in August, would have appeared an unlikely match-winner prior to the game.

But, having been brought on as a half-time substitute for Marley Watkins, he played an influential role after the break as his link-up with Diedhiou proved decisive.

The Senegal striker also produced a fine individual display, seeing a wonderful 25-yard volley into the top corner disallowed for a foul and then forcing Marshall to tip a fierce strike onto the bar.

He eventually got his reward late on, first teeing up Paterson for the opener and then seeing the compliment returned as he steered in his ninth goal of the season.

Wigan, who dominated possession and mustered 17 shots on goal, failed to create many really clear-cut chances but did have a Joe Williams effort superbly blocked by Nathan Baker when it was still 0-0.

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"It was a very professional away win, first 20 minutes we defended well but didn't have the composure to tidy up.

"We wanted a win and we were playing for a win and I think the boys showed the willingness to create and make angles, it was a real squad effort.

"We've always stayed positive and we've tried to keep the belief, the fans were fantastic today."

Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook told BBC Radio Manchester:

"We've had a problem scoring goals all year, I think everybody knows that, within that as a manager your job is trying to create a team that will score and will win.

"We keep taking steps forward but then we have a terrible habit of shooting ourselves in the foot.

"It's disappointing when you say to your players 'we're doing well', but really are we? That's the brutal reality of this league.

"If we'd have drawn 0-0 we'd have all gone away saying 'we just lacked that cutting edge', but unfortunately when you lose 2-0 the inquests are a lot deeper."