Photo via Sky Sports

Ballard heads Bristol City past Watford as they climb to fifth

Bristol City secured a narrow 1-0 triumph against an injury-hit Watford side to ascend into fifth position within the Championship. Dominic Ballard provided the decisive breakthrough just past the half-hour mark at Ashton Gate, directing a backward header home courtesy of a delivery from Rio Cardines, who claimed his sixth assist of the campaign.

The result halted a sequence of two consecutive losses for Michael Skubala's squad before the start of the international hiatus.

Watford, managed by Alessio Dionisi, missed an early opening when Luca Kjerrumgaard failed to keep his effort down, while both teams had subsequent spot-kick appeals dismissed by the referee. Lorent Tolaj also squandered a late opportunity to double the host's advantage after being played through by George Tanner.

The defeat leaves the visitors languishing in the lower section of the division, having collected a solitary point away from home throughout the entire campaign.