Chris Martin netted his first Bristol City goal in a 4-0 Carabao Cup second-round win over Northampton at Ashton Gate.
The former Derby striker headed the Championship side ahead after 43 minutes after Antoine Semenyo had nodded a Niclas Eliasson cross from the left back across goal.
Semenyo was also instrumental in Bristol’s second goal after 48 minutes, some neat footwork and a well-timed pass putting in Kasey Palmer to round goalkeeper Jordan Mitchell and slot into an empty net.
One of the two players Holden retained, skipper Tomas Kalas, suffered what looked to be a shoulder injury in an early challenge and was replaced by Taylor Moore after seven minutes, Mawson taking the captain’s arm band.
Bristol went close to taking a 16th minute lead when Eliasson’s left-footed free-kick from 20 yards, following a foul on Semenyo, smacked against a post.
It was not until after Martin’s goal that Mitchell made a save. Zak Vyner’s fierce right-footed shot from 25 yards brought a diving save from the keeper, who did well to tip the effort over the bar.
Curle made a change at half-time, sending on Morgan Roberts for Luka Racic. But before his shuffled side could settle, Palmer had doubled Bristol’s advantage.
Palmer thought he had headed City’s third goal with 69 minutes gone, but after consultation with an assistant referee Tom Nield ruled that Semenyo was offside and interfering with play when the ball crossed the line.
It mattered little as Semenyo headed over from a Sessegnon cross and, although Chukwuemeka wasted a decent chance for Northampton, City’s two late goals were a fair reflection of the game.
