Full-time: Bristol City 1 Burnley 2

Bristol City were dealt another blow in front of their own fans as Burnley came from behind to win at Ashton Gate.

Steve Thompson's late goal maintained fourth-placed Burnley's standing in the Coca-Cola Championship and heaped further pressure on Robins manager Gary Johnson and his players.

Bristol City have won only once in their last 12 games and now find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the play-off positions.

It looked like being a happy occasion for home fans when City took the lead seven minutes into the second half, record signing Nicky Maynard beating Brian Jensen from the penalty spot after Clarke Carlisle had fouled Stern John.

But Burnley were back on level terms five minutes later, Carlisle heading a Chris Eagles free kick across goal for Martin Paterson to score from close range.

Substitute Lee Trundle and Eagles went close to netting a winner at either end before the visitors struck a decisive blow 12 minutes from time, Eagles and Paterson combining to set up substitute Thompson for the winner.

Trundle almost conjured an equaliser in the dying moments, only for his chip shot to be superbly tipped over by Clarets keeper Jensen.

Hard-pressed by injury, illness and suspension, City manager Johnson was forced to recall the transfer-listed Bradley Orr at right-back, while on-loan centre-half Andy Webster made his first start since September in a revamped back four.

Lee Johnson was restored to the centre of midfield and Gavin Williams was drafted in on the right to deputise for suspended winger Ivan Sproule.

Without a win in any of their last seven games, City urgently required the reassurance of a good start. But clear-cut chances were hard to come by and the home side were limited to a blocked Maynard shot and Michael McIndoe's first-time effort, which whistled wide from the edge of the penalty area.

More composed on the ball, Burnley also struggled to make an impact in the final third and Adriano Basso was able to watch Michael Duff's long-range effort drift harmlessly wide.

The crowd briefly arose from their slumbers in the 25th minute, McIndoe crossing enticingly from the left, only for centre-back Jamie McCombe to see the ball late and head wide of the target from six yards.

Marvin Elliott's fierce drive was deflected behind for a corner, Clarets keeper Jensen punched clear under pressure from Stern John and Elliott met Johnson's corner kick with a glancing header which skidded beyond the far post.

Burnley may have won at Chelsea and Fulham previously this season, but they posed little threat to the home goal and Eagles wasted their best opening when lifting his shot over the bar five minutes before half time.

The winger again threatened when running on to Duff's through ball, but Webster got across to turn his angled shot behind.

John then met Liam Fontaine's deep cross with a flicked header, but still City were unable to break the deadlock.

City boss Johnson withdrew Williams at half time and introduced Trundle in a bid to spark renewed life into his team.

Sure enough, the home side needed just seven minutes to forge a lead. McIndoe crossed from the left, John was hauled down by Clarke Carlisle and referee Russell Booth awarded a penalty after consulting his assistant.

Maynard stepped up and beat Jensen's despairing dive with a low shot which found the left-hand corner of the net.

But just as they did against Watford here last month, City surrendered their lead within a few minutes.

Eagles delivered a free kick towards the back post, Carlisle headed back across goal and Paterson ghosted in unattended to nod his 13th goal of an increasingly productive season.

An uneventful first half was now forgotten and chances continued to materialise at both ends, Trundle going close to restoring Bristol City's advantage when receiving Orr's throw-in, turning his marker and shooting narrowly wide of the far post.

Burnley then went close to taking the lead, Robbie Blake playing in Eagles, whose shot deflected off Webster and required the unsighted Basso to make an instinctive one-handed save.

But Basso was powerless to prevent the Clarets scoring in the 78th minute, Eagles finding Paterson, who squared the ball across goal for Thompson to net from close range.