Bristol City ended a six-game winless Championship run with victory at stuttering Middlesbrough thanks to two first-half goals in as many minutes from Jason Knight and Matty James.
The Robins roused themselves after a sapping midweek FA Cup-penalties exit by Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest to take all three points for the first time since Boxing Day's win over Watford, and ensured Boro's home form stretched to one win in seven games.
Knight, who scored at the City Ground in that cup loss, followed up with his second goal in a week when he took a defence-splitting Rob Dickie pass and rounded Tom Glover to give City the lead.