Liam Manning vowed to do everything possible to keep match-winner Nahki Wells at Ashton Gate after the experienced striker’s 77th-minute goal had boosted Bristol City’s improving Sky Bet Championship play-off challenge.
A trademark free-kick from Scott Twine in the 12th minute, brilliantly curled beyond the reach of Aynsley Pears, had the home side in front, only for their former player Andreas Weimann to nod a 40th-minute equaliser for Blackburn after Makhtar Gueye’s header came back off a post.
Substitute Wells, who also netted in the midweek 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, came up trumps again with a low shot from a narrow angle that beat Pears with the aid of a deflection to make it 2-1 and put the rampant Robins within three points of the top six.
Wells is out of contract at the end of the season and head coach Manning admitted that talks over a new deal were imminent.
“You cannot afford to leave things like that to the end of the season,” he said. “Of course, it can all come down to budgets, but I love having Nahki in the squad.
“He is the consummate professional and a big influence on our younger players. He would like to have scored more goals this season and we had a chat about that not so long ago, but his work on behalf of the team is exceptional.”
That was not uppermost in Manning’s mind when, with his team defending a narrow lead in the dying moments, Wells elected to shoot when he could have taken the ball to the corner.
“I was screaming at him,” admitted the Robins boss. “The last few minutes were anxious, not least for me, and I couldn’t believe that decision from such an experienced player.
“We smiled about it afterwards. My players came off absolutely exhausted at the end of a physical game and I am sure our fans will have appreciated their commitment.
“I don’t foresee any signings before the transfer deadline, although there may be one or two departures. I will be delighted to keep the current squad together.”
Blackburn contributed plenty to a bristling clash and boss John Eustace believes a couple of new signings can reignite their season.
He said: “The club are working hard to add some quality before the end of the transfer window and I hope that by Friday there will be some news.
“We didn’t deserve to lose, but it’s becoming a broken record and we are going through a difficult period in terms of results.
“The team played with great spirit and it was a good performance. We just have to stick together, get some of our injured players fully fit again and things will turn.
“The boys have run through brick walls again today, so I can have no complaints. We lost to a deflection and there’s not much you can do about that.
“We created really good pressure and just lacked that bit of quality in the final third, which is what we are seeking.
“We will bounce back. I was proud of the efforts of the players and it’s important we don’t get too disappointed.
“The play-off race will remain tight. Bristol City have invested well and should be involved.
“I am confident that we will stay in the fight. It will help if we can make the right additions to the squad.”
