Manning's debut a 'heart-stopper'

LIAM Manning admitted a cool exterior belied a racing heartbeat after his first home game as Bristol City head coach produced a five-goal thriller and a victory over Middlesbrough.

- Kaitlyn Gray

Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s sublime right-footed curler off the crossbar gave the home side the lead in the 37th minute before Tommy Conway doubled it with a spotkick in injury time.

Boro pulled one back via a bizarre Zak Vyner own goal, before Crooks quickly equalised for the visitors. However, Sykes’ sweet 67th-minutre volley secured a hard-fought win for City in a thrilling finale.

“That was a nice and relaxing,” Manning joked after the game. “There are less stressful ways to spend a Saturday afternoon and my heart is still racing. But I consider myself in a privileged position as head coach of a great club.