TONY Mowbray praised Malaury Martin for the added-time exocet that gave Middlesbrough three points at Bristol City.
The Frenchman came off the bench late on to unleash a stunning free-kick to seal a last-gasp Boro 1-0 win at Ashton Gate.
The former France Under-21 international had lashed home a similar impressive strike on his home debut in a 3-1 win over Birmingham in August.
He had not featured since an away defeat to Nottingham Forest in October – but Mowbray believed he could be a match-winner when he sent Martin on for a dramatic 13-minute cameo.
“I said to him before he went on: ‘right, let’s see one of those thunderbolts’,” said the Boro manager.
“We know what he can do because we’ve seen it before against Birmingham and to be honest, I see it most days in training.
“But it has been difficult at times for him because it is hard to get into a winning team.
“And it has been hard to get him on pitch from the bench in tight games when maybe we need more athleticism and defensive instinct.
“But this was a game where I felt we were on top, we were pressing them and we maybe needed something extra around there box so I judged it was a game where he had something to offer.”
The midfielder, signed on a free from Blackpool in the summer, sent a scorching 20 yard rocket screaming past David James and into the far top corner a minute into stoppage time after Marvin Emnes had been bundled over.
It was a spectacular end to a televised clash in which City had created the better of the chances and went away feeling mugged.
They had dominated the first half and but for a string of impressive saves from Boro shot-stopper Jason Steele could have gone in at the break with a comfortable lead. Boro came back into it after the break but struggled to carve out a clear chance and ex-England keeper James barely had a save to make. And Bristol also had a strong shout for a penalty as Julio Arca appeared to handle a cross into the Boro box.
After a sluggish start by Boro, Bristol quickly took control and set up a series of good chances as Kilkenny sent a long range effort dipping over then a Maynard low shot was saved.
Then Boro’s England Under-21 keeper Steele made a crucial double save on 13 minutes, first palming away an angled Woolford drive then going full-length to save superbly as Maynard rifled in the rebound.
Then after a couple of unremarkable Boro half-chances, Steele was again in action just before the break, getting down to smother a stinging low effort from Maynard. Boro perked up after the break and threatened more.
Justin Hoyte sent a long range effort dipping over then they went close on 55 minutes as City keeper James had to come out of his box to chest away a cross and Faris Haroun sent the rebound bouncing just wide.
As the game opened up Steele saved a low, angled drive from Adomah and then scrambled away a Pitman stabbed effort, while Boro’s Julio Arca scooped a shot over the bar and Haroun headed over.
The game looked to be fizzling out into a draw until stoppage time when Wilson bundled over Emnes as he weaved along the edge of the box and Martin stepped up to slam home.
BRISTOL CITY: James, Skuse, Wilson, Fontaine, McGivern, Adomah, Kilkenny, Cisse, Pearson (Pitman 72), Woolford (Bolasie 61), Maynard. Subs (not used): Gerken, Carey,Campbell-Ryce.
Booked: Kilkenny.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Steele, McMahon, Bates, Rhys Williams (McManus 87), Hoyte, Haroun, Bailey, Arca (Martin 77), Bennett, McDonald, Emnes. Subs (not used): Zemmama, Ogbeche, Nimely.
Booked: McMahon.
Goal: Martin 90.
Attendance: 14,467
Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight).
