Burnley had countless chances to double their tally, including a Connor Roberts strike that was tipped on to the woodwork, but were punished by the hosts as Tommy Conway levelled on the hour mark.

Yet the promoted Clarets proved why they are the league's top team, as Jay Rodriguez instantly retaliated to restore their lead two minutes later.

Promoted Burnley travelled to Bristol with nothing left to play for, knowing they could celebrate their final two games of the campaign after wrapping up the title with a win over Blackburn in the east Lancashire derby earlier in the week.

With little need to press, Vincent Kompany's men dominanted possession the opening half an hour without creating much. Out of nowhere, a moment of magic put them ahead as Benson curled a left-footed strike beyond Max O'Leary into the top right-hand corner for his 13th goal of the season.

Lyle Foster and Vitinho had shots saved by O'Leary as Burnley pushed for a second, while former Robins midfielder Josh Brownhill should have hit the target to make it 2-0 but dragged his effort wide.

Traffic continued one-way through the second half as a Rodriguez header from close range went just over, while Roberts had a strike tipped on to the woodwork by O'Leary.

Then with their first shot on target Bristol City made Burnley pay, as Andi Weimann broke forward in a three-on-one, squared the ball to Conway on his right to slot home for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Yet the equaliser was short-lived as less than two minutes later Burnley were back in front when Rodriguez capitalised on a mistake by Alex Scott to snatch the ball and fire into the corner.

Weimann had a goal disallowed inside the final 10 minutes for a foul in the build-up, with the result meaning Bristol City fall a place to 15th in the table with their first home defeat of 2023.

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:

"We're obviously disappointed with the result, disappointed with the fashion we conceded the goals but we've certainly given them a stern test today.

"First-half we had to really concentrate to stay in the game just because their amount of possession. It's one of those performances that we rue the way that we've conceded the goals but as I've said many times I always a want our players to give everything and I think everybody can see today how hard our players fought all the way to the end.

I think the subs had a very positive impact and that's important too, it's not just about who starts a game it's about all the squad being ready to play a positive role on a matchday.

"Disappointing today because it would have been good to sign off at home with a positive game against the champions who are a really very, very good side."

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"I think it's always credit to the club [who does a guard of honour]. We're always a little bit in fight mode towards each other.

"To be able to take a moment and do this I think it's all credit to Bristol City and from our side it was just making sure they understood the guard of honour stopped the moment the whistle was blown.

"If I was giving the guard of honour to someone I'd want to score as soon as the whistle goes and that was a bit the nature of the game."