Bristol City have parted company with head coach Lee Johnson on the back of Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Cardiff City.

The Championship club fell to a late Danny Ward goal at Ashton Gate to make it seven defeats in a nine-game winless run, leaving them nine points off the play-offs with five games remaining.

City were three points off the top two after beating Derby County 3-2 on February 12, but they have collected only two points from a possible 27 since then and are now down in 12th.

And City, who have lost all four games since returning to action last month, announced on their official website that Johnson - in charge since February 2016 - has been relieved of his duties immediately.

Chief executive Mark Ashton said: "We recognise the huge amount of work that Lee has put in over the last four-and-a-half years to move this club forward and we thank him for all his efforts.

"There have been some special moments over those years and Lee has played a significant part in them.

"However, success in football is ultimately judged by results and league position, and the board believes that a change of management is needed now for Bristol City."

Assistant head coach Dean Holden will take over on a caretaker basis for City's home match against Hull City on Wednesday.