Bristol City moved into the Championship play-off places with victory over Norwich City as the Canaries' own promotion hopes drifted further from view.

Mark Sykes' smart finish gave the Robins an early platform, further reinforced by Nahki Wells' low finish as Norwich surrendered possession in their own defensive third.

An 18th goal of the season from Borja Sainz, who had struck the post in the first half and also missed from close range, ensured a nervy finish to the game at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City now occupy fifth place in the table having leapfrogged Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion, who both play on Saturday.

Norwich, now winless in four matches, are seven points from the top six having played a game more than their rivals and their play-off hopes appear to be over.

A pre-match light show was not received with much enthusiasm by the home support but their side's start to the game certainly was.

Norwich had enjoyed their first serious spell of possession inside the Robins half but Rob Dickie was wise to the threat using his long legs to good effect to win the ball back and play into the path of Max Bird who in turn released Sykes.

The Republic of Ireland international advanced and had options inside the penalty area but instead checked back onto his left foot and with his confidence high, after a goal in midweek against Sheffield United, bent a delightful finish into the far corner.

Having gained the advantage, the Robins then got a little sloppy as first Shane Duffy and Emiliano Marcondes tested Max O'Leary.

Possession was then cheaply conceded inside their own half by the hosts allowing Sargent to feed Sainz who beat the City goalkeeper only for his driven effort to clip the outside of the post.

Norwich had maintained their desire to build from deep, inviting the Robins press and then trying to move quickly through midfield but Jason Knight and Bird swamped Jose Cordoba who conceded possession and two passes later, Joe Williams was rolling a ball into Wells beyond the defence.

The Bermudian clinically placed his finish into the far corner with George Long unable to react.

Exactly how it was not 3-0 shortly after, only Wells knows.

Norwich did not get tight enough to Bird on the edge of the area who forced a save from Long but his tame parry was straight at Wells who, with a near open goal somehow placed his shot back towards the Canaries keeper who made a fine save.

Despite the two-goal disadvantage, Norwich had maintained their threat in the final third and the hosts' cushion never looked particularly secure.

Ante Crnac blazed high and wide from close range as they began the second half with the necessary intent but not necessarily the required finesse.

Sargent was a constant problem for the Robins defence and forced a diving stop from O'Leary from just outside the area but Liam Manning's substitutions added fresh legs and energy in midfield which seemed to turn the momentum of the game back in his side's favour.

Sainz had looked likely to score all game and set up a nervous final 10 minutes with a close-range finish.

Norwich pumped balls into the box which led to a series of corners but they lacked conviction in front of goal.

Marcelino Nunez had one last chance to rescue a point for the visitors in the final minute of added time, but sent a 25-yard free-kick just wide.

Bristol City head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

"A nervy last five minutes but it is testament to the group and another experience ticked off.

"We have been in that position numerous times this season and dropped points so to get one over the line, huge credit goes to the lads for staying calm and sticking at it – running, fighting and competing and doing the gritty side of the game that is so important.

"We have had some tough times along the way since I have been here, we have taken a bit of stick, but it was around building something, the way we work – coaching takes time, especially how we coach the players, to make decisions and not be robots.

"Naturally along the way, you going to get it right and get it wrong. It's a young group so you have to suck up some tough experiences along the way but what we've done is made sure our behaviours are always good.

"We don't get too hung up if it's been poor and we don't get carried away when it's been good – that's been a massive strength."

Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We are in a difficult place in the moment and it takes a lot from us to get something out of the good stuff that we do, and we get punished really hard on the one or two mistakes we made in the game.

"The first passing mistake we made in the final third and they punished us – a brilliant finish but a situation we should deal with better.

"Our response to that was really, really good – to create one or two big, big chances that we normally score. But after they scored the second we were a little bit all over the place.

"It was a good time for half-time and we made an okay plan for the second half but mostly praise for the players for not letting frustration take over.

"The goal came a little bit too late but we gave it a push, we tried – even though the circumstances were not in our favour."