Cardiff City’s fight against the drop now looks exceptionally difficult to achieve after a disheartening 1-1 draw at home against Oxford United.
On a day when almost all their rivals to avoid relegation managed to win, the draw has left the Bluebirds bottom-but-one of the Championship table and three points from safety with just two games remaining.
Most of the build-up was focused on Aaron Ramsey’s spot in the dug-out instead of the midfield, following the sacking of Omer Riza after a not so Good Friday defeat against Sheffield United.
The Wales captain - put in charge for the final three matches of the season in a desperate bid to turn things around - seemed to have inspired a victory when Yousef Salech headed Cardiff 1-0 ahead in the 56th minute.
But Cameron Brannagan levelled for Oxford 11 minutes from time with a magnificent 30-yard drive and Cardiff were unable to respond.
It means even if Cardiff win their two remaining games - at home to West Brom and away to Norwich City - they are relying on others to drop points.
Cardiff started the brighter, with Salech involved in a lot of Cardiff’s good work.
But the best chance of the opening stages came after a great turn into the box from Alex Robertson, who pulled it back to Chris Willock, who fired just over the bar.
The final five minutes included some controversial moments.
Bluebirds supporters felt ex-Swansea winger Przemyslaw Placheta should have been shown a straight red for a foul on Perry Ng, but only a yellow was produced.
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There was a fair argument that it should have been his second of the game, after he pulled down Callum O’Dowda on the edge of his own box, but no card was produced then.
Then, just a few minutes later, Willock went down just inside the Oxford penalty area, but his claims were quickly waved away by Farai Hallam.
The mood was flattened at half time with the updates of Derby and Plymouth leading, which meant Cardiff were three points from safety and joint bottom with the latter.
The hosts got the desired goal when after a cross from Willock on the left-hand side found its way to Salech, who rose highest again - only this time it went past Jamie Cumming and into the back of the net.
Despite tensions easing in the Welsh capital, news of Luton and Hull now leading meant Cardiff stayed in the bottom three, meaning all of the bottom five at the start of the day were now ahead.
With just ten minutes to go, Oxford produced a moment of pure brilliance as Tyler Goddrham laid a free kick off to captain Brannagan, who fired first time from 30 yards out into the top right corner.
In that one moment, Cardiff were now back joint bottom, and three points from safety with just two games to go.
The hosts knew what was required, and with three minutes to go, a cross from Ollie Tanner narrowly missed the head of Yakou Meite and went past the far post.
Despite more pressure, Cardiff were unable to find the net again, earning a result that barring a near miracle in the last two games, looks to be another mark on their course to League One football next season.
