Jos Luhukay's reaction to Sheffield Wednesday's hard-fought 2-1 win over Bristol City

Substitute Lucas Joao claimed a second half brace as the Owls sealed a second successive win away from Hillsborough.

Matty Taylor halved the deficit from the penalty spot after Callum O'Dowda was upended by Josh Onomah but Wednesday held on to extend their unbeaten league run to four matches.

Victory lifted them up to sixth, just six points off leaders Sheffield United.

Luhukay said: "We are in the play-off position but we have a lot of hard work to do. We can get better.

"We are in a good direction. We have only lost one of the last nine. I'm proud of the team.

"This game was very important for us but there is a long way to go."

The Dutchman was unhappy with their first half performance at Ashton Gate, accusing his players of being "nervous on the ball".

But Luhukay was delighted with his team's second half response. He praised Joao's contribution, saying: "Lucas scored two good goals.

"He is a player who can provide unpredictable moments and we are very happy with his goals."

Joao was a first half replacement for Steven Fletcher, who sustained a back injury. Wednesday's medical team will check on Fletcher and Barry Bannan (groin). Luhukay fears midfield dynamo Bannan has suffered a recurrence of the groin injury which kept him on the sidelines for a lengthy period last season.

Luhukay said: "With Barry, I'm a little bit scared that it is the groin injury he had last season before I came to the club.

"He said to me (at the end) it is the same feeling but I hope it is only a little bit of a warning and that he can maybe train back in the next week and be 100 per cent for Middlesbrough."