Bolder took Hamilton's place alongside Paul Groves in the midfield whilst McDermott took over at right back. Jason Crowe pushed forward onto the right wing. The midifeld of Crowe, Bolder, Groves and Campbell had a very defensive look of it and, as would later prove, offered little support to the front men of Boulding and Rowan.
Graham Hockless was promoted to the bench with the option of some genuine creativity if needed later in the game.
In the opening minutes City went close, former Town target Lee Peacock jumped for a high ball with Tony Crane. The ex-Man City man quite clearly kicked Crane in the back leaving the centre back in a heap, referee Mr Armstrong allowed play to go on. Luke Wilkshire took advantage and his cross deserved a better finish than Tommy Doherty skied effort.
The Robins again carved Town only for poor finishing to let them down, Christian Roberts this time the guilty player.
Town did slowly improve with Crowe the main driving force from the right wing. The summer signing's pace was a constant threat, even if his team-mates seemed unable to support.
Crowe was the creator of Town's first real (half) chance. His low cross seemed destined for the boot of Jonny Rowan but Tony Butler glided in and cleared to safety.
With power and pace all through the team, Danny Wilson's men had options everywhere and it was that combination that continued to open up Town. Roberts and Peacock combined with only a first class block from Simon Ford preventing Peacock scoring.
Soon after Peacock was booked for a Maradona handball attempt, he still missed the goal though.
10 minutes before the break and Crowe burst forward with a great change of speed, however the speedster was tripped on the edge of the area by a City defender, possibly Matthew Hill. Again the official waved play on much to the anger of both Town fans and players.
Crane and Ford continued to hold out in defence with both making more vital blocks before half-time.
Wilson clearly felt the need for a change at the break, on came Brian Tinnion and Aaron Brown for Hill and Joe Burnell. Town kept the same, ineffective, eleven.
A brief spell of Town pressure got the second half underway, McDermott fired over and Bolder curled a shot wide. After that it was all one-way traffic.
Sub Brown was causing great problems down the left flank with his direct running. McDermott and Crowe dealt with the youngster well though.
Several last minute tackles and blocks from the defence were made, when they was breached Aidan Davison was off his line in a flash to safeguard his goal.
Town's best chance came on a very rare charge upfield. Former Robin Darren Barnard chipped a free-kick over the defensive wall for Michael Boulding. The striker stretched but could not make contact for his fifth goal of the season.
The tiring McDermott was replaced with young Wes Parker replacing him in a straight swap at right back. Parker was also oddly handed the captain's armband.
Parker was soon thick in the action, first almost heading into his own net, before making a strong double tackle on Tinnion and Doherty in midfield. Davison's goal was under serious threat now with the veteran producing no end of wonder saves to deny Roberts and Peacock who should have both had at least a brace by now.
Town looked set to gain a point and get their first clean sheet of the season. Their last spell of pressure saw a succession of good corners well defended by the City defence. Had Town snatched a winner here, it would have been without a doubt the biggest smash and grab job of all time.
Moments after the fourth official indicated four minutes of injury time, City struck. A long hopeful ball was sent upfield. Parker hesitated before allowing the ball to bounce. Roberts flew past the youngster before finishing with ease past the helpless Davison. A cruel time to concede but few could argue it was undeserved.
Town threw on Laurens Ten Heuvel straight afterwards to grab something but the Dutchman had zero impact and possibly failed to get a single kick. Darren Barnard had a late chance to equalize from a free-kick but his effort was straight at Steve Phillips.
Despite the heartbreaking injury time winner, the scoreline flattered Town. The back five of Davison, McDermott, Barnard, Crane and Ford were excellent throughout and for their performances deserved to be on the winning side. The midfield was pretty much ominous for most the game. Badly missed were Cas and Anderson, maybe to a lesser extent Hamilton as well. Boulding and Rowan were fed little all game and the single shot on target (that coming in the final minute) is an indication of the game plan adopted.
Bristol City: Phillips, Hill (Brown 45), Butler, Coles, Carey, Bell, Doherty, Burnell (Tinnion 45), Wilkshire (Miller 77), Roberts, Peacock. Subs not used: Stowell, Matthews.
Town: Davison, McDermott (Parker 72), Barnard, Ford, Crane, Crowe, Campbell, Groves, Bolder (Ten Heuvel 90), Boulding, Rowan. Subs not used: Pettinger, Edwards, Hockless.
Man of the Match - Tony Crane. Immense performance from the young pairing of Crane and Ford in the heart of defence. Crane gets the nod though for several late blocks and his constant winning of the ball in the the air. Much better from the Liverpool lad.