Nigel Pearson praised Cam Pring after the wing-back grabbed his first goal for the Robins to help end their winless streak.
Bristol City headed into the World Cup break without a victory in six but set the tone of the contest when Nahki Wells' cross was turned into his own net by Wes Harding after 15 minutes. The lead last just 10 minutes before Chiedozie Ogbene headed home the equaliser when the dangerous Brooke Norton-Cuffy picked out a cross to the back post.
The visitors were exploiting the space behind 35-year-old defender Lee Peltier on that left side throughout the first half and their persistence was rewarded once again, this time Tommy Conway finding space to run in behind.
