Ashley Williams’ influence on Bristol City was hailed as a major factor in their 1-0 victory at Cardiff City.
The Wales captain – whose career had stalled just a few months ago after leaving Everton for an unsuccessful period on loan with Stoke City – was pinpointed by his manager Lee Johnson as a key influence in the ending of the Bluebirds’ unbeaten home record in the Championship.
Williams, 35, showed all his experience to restrict Cardiff to a couple of long range efforts that struck the bar as Josh Brownhill’s stunning goal decided the Severnside derby.
“Ashley Williams has been great for us,” said Johnson as Cardiff were left to reflect on a second derby defeat in three matches that has left them seven points behind Bristol City, who occupy the play-offs with sixth place in the table.
“It was difficult for him to come in on the back of no pre-season. Personality-wise, I really like him.
“He’s a good man and a good pro – the type of character we want. I also think we have the type of characters around him to extenuate his positive attributes.
“You saw that today – his calmness and ability to see the danger ahead of him.
Brownhill decided a Severnside derby that was always more thunder than lightning and which leaves the Bluebirds mired in mid-table.
Two defeats in their last three games have come in contests against their nearest neighbours, although their performance was not as insipid as the one they served up at Swansea City a fortnight ago.
They hit the bar three times and would have earned themselves a penalty had the referee seen an obvious tug of the shirt by Robins defender Nathan Baker on Aden Flint at a first-half corner.
“We had one last week that was not nearly as bad as this one, so it depends on which referee you get,” said Warnock.
“Our home form will be okay, but away from home we have got to get three points, not play well and get one point. That’s the priority now for the club and the lads.
“It’s about taking your chances, really. The only thing I could fault is that we could have got out quicker to block the shot for their goal, even though it’s a brilliant shot.
“I think if your life’s at stake you block that – I think it was Flinty and Packy – but they were fine margins today.
“I didn’t feel threatened today, but we didn’t create clear-cut chances. There was the little bit of devilment missing in the final third.”
Johnson said: “It was a warrior like performance because when you play Cardiff they cause you problems by pinning you into a back five.
“It was a proper away performance in terms of people putting their bodies on the line and competing all over the pitch. It lacked a bit of quality, but the absolutely outstanding moment of quality was Brownhill’s strike.
Cardiff appeared to have weathered most of what the Robins had to offer and seemed to be getting on top when Brownhill picked up the ball from Tommy Rowe and struck a dipping, swerving shot from 25 yards that beat Etheridge.
Junior Hoilett had been desperately unlucky earlier with a ferocious shot that struck the woodwork and Leandro Bacuna also clipped the bar before Cardiff fell behind. Flint’s header from a corner – when Cardiff trailed – landed on top of the bar, but Brownhill’s strike underlined the 23-year-old’s maturing influence, according to his manager.
“Josh is a very good student and has been since I first took him on loan to Barnsley,” added Johnson.
“I could see there was a superstar in the making. He still has slight areas he needs to improve on and he knows that. But in terms of workrate and honesty – he can tackle, he gets up and down and he’s bright in terms of his football brain.
“He’s got a goal in him and he’s good at set-piece delivery, so he must go down as one of the best value singings in Bristol City’s history.”
