"Don't underestimate how well the [Bristol City] group weathered that storm"

Michael Skubala insists there's "no better feeling" as a manager than seeing the work done on the training pitch put into action on a Saturday afternoon, a claim made after Bristol City's characterful win over Bolton Wanderers.

The Robins produced some late fireworks to curtail their four-match winless run with a 3-2 win at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. In a dramatic contest, goals from Dom Ballard, Sam Bell and Scott Twine secured the points for City on Saturday afternoon.

Having taken the lead through Ballard's fourth of the season early on, the Reds found themselves trailing as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes after goals from Josh Sheehan and Sam Dalby. From the bench, though, Bell turned home Cam Pring's cross to pull the Robins level.

OPINION

Then, midway through stoppage-time, Twine - who had replaced Ballard quarter of an hour prior - fired home from fellow substitute Jed Wallace's cut-back to snatch the points, much to the delight of Skubala, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Saturday.

"It's a nice birthday present," the City boss told Bristol Live after the full-time whistle. "I think the game probably looked how I thought it would look, with them having a lot of the ball, dominating at home, and we could hit them on transition.

"In the first half, there were a couple of moments where we did that, but we didn't secure our defensive structures very well, so we changed things. Then I think we had a wobble in the second-half - you could see that - but I thought the lads were excellent.

"I don't know the stats or anything like that, but I think we created some very big chances. I really liked our character; I thought our character today was excellent, to get through that little bit of a spell. Then the group, the squad depth, the subs all came on and really impacted the game, which is what you want.

"The group work hard, I love them to bits, and they're a fantastic group to work with," Skubala added. "I know we can be more ruthless, I know we can be more aggressive with certain things, but every day in training they're working hard.

"It was really pleasing today to see the things we've worked on about getting into better areas to create bigger chances and, of course, taking chances. If you score one or two goals on the road, you're pleased, and you should win the game. To score three and do it in that manner is exceptional."

City's win over the Trotters is their first since September and the extended international break. Heading into the trip to Bolton, Skubala's side had scored just one goal in their last four matches, a Twine penalty away at Charlton.

Such a run of form has seen criticism levelled at both the Robins boss and some members of his playing squad in recent weeks. Some fans were quick to direct chants towards Skubala during Saturday's win, particularly during the Reds' "wobble" midway through the second half.

After the time the result was confirmed, however, the City manager and his players were greeted by cheers from the away end, with Skubala powering three big fist-bumps in the direction of the travelling fans.

"Every three points are big, every one point is big, but we want to win more games than we lose, and sometimes those wins are important for the group," he explained when asked about the celebration. "But we have belief, they have belief, and I have belief. The staff work so hard here; we're all working hard to improve.

"What I'm really pleased about is the work that we did on the training ground we really saw. There's no better feeling as a coach or manager than when you see the work you've done all week go into a game.

"Of course, if the scoreline finishes differently, it's different, but we did some really good things today off the training pitch."

On the fans, Skubala continued, "They were brilliant, and they felt the frustration in the middle part, like we all did, but don't underestimate how well the group weathered that storm."

With just a matter of hours of his birthday likely to remain by the time the Robins squad return to south Bristol this evening, Skubala's plans for the remainder of the night are rather simple.

"Cider. I've got to have a cider."