Wolves avoided an FA Cup upset by beating Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate to reach the fourth round of the competition.

First-half goals from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes put the Premier League visitors in control and underlined the gap in status between the two teams.

Scott Twine halved the deficit with a magnificent free-kick on the stroke of half-time and Wolves – who hit a post twice in the second half – survived a late scare four minutes from time.

Twine fizzed over an angled free-kick to the far post and Ross McCrorie headed against the underside of the crossbar before Wolves just about cleared.

Wolves named a strong side after Monday’s Premier League defeat by Nottingham Forest as boss Vitor Pereira made only three changes for his first taste of FA Cup action.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone played for the first time under Pereira and there were also starts for Andre and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou following his midweek move from Reims.

Bristol City appeared tricky opposition given their good form in the Sky Bet Championship that had produced three wins in an unbeaten four-game run.

But Wolves were two ahead after 21 minutes and their early domination was such that they should have put the tie to bed before half-time.

Ait-Nouri wandered into the penalty area to fire a volley straight at Robins goalkeeper Max O’Leary, but the Algerian was not in such charitable mood two minutes later.

Joao Gomes’ 10th-minute cross evaded several players in a crowded box until Ait-Nouri stooped to head in at the far post.

Jorgen Strand Larsen soon broke through but Goncalo Guedes did not get a proper connection on his pass, allowing Zak Vyner time to stop the ball rolling towards the goal-line.

Wolves doubled their lead when Guedes released Rodrigo Gomes inside the area for a smart finish that gave O’Leary no chance.

Guedes fired over the crossbar from 18 yards and O’Leary was fortunate to escape after rushing out to stop Strand Larsen.

O’Leary’s misdirected kick went straight to Guedes, but the Portuguese did not catch the ball cleanly and the goalkeeper ran back towards his goal to gather.

Bristol City did not threaten until close to half-time when Haydon Roberts set up for a shot that Santiago Bueno blocked, but Hwang Hee-chan soon brought down Jason Knight and Twine sent the 25-yard free-kick over the Wolves wall and into the corner of the net.

Wolves almost restored their two-goal cushion after Roberts failed to cut out Doherty’s pass and Rodrigo Gomes hit the goal frame from a tight angle.

O’Leary pushed out Guedes’ effort from distance, but it was a more cup-tie feel in the final quarter as Bristol City staged a late rally in between Wolves substitute Pablo Sarabia striking a post.