By Joe Richards.
Cardiff City secured a vital three points against play-off rivals Derby County in front of a record crowd at Cardiff City Stadium.
The Bluebirds started strongly with a succession of corners before the game settled into a regular pattern with Derby controlling possession but Cardiff looking the more threatening.
And it was City who made the breakthrough on 37 minutes when Bruno Manga rose highest to head home Peter Whittingham’s corner.
The end of the first half was marred by a touchline incident involving City forward Anthony Pilkington and Derby centre back Jason Shackell.
But the referee saw nothing too untoward so dished out a booking a piece for the pair.
The visitors, under caretaker boss Darren Wassall, came flying out of the traps in the second half and equalised through Chris Martin’s looped header.
Russell Slade’s men responded 22 minutes from time when Stewart O’Keefe poked home from another Whittingham corner to give Cardiff a deserved victory.
The win was watched by the record crowd since the move to the new stadium of 28,680 – over 13,000 more than their previous best this season.
Slade said: “It was a really professional performance.
“It was important we managed the game well against a very good side. What I was most pleased about was when Derby got themselves back in the game we had a great response and got the all-important second goal.”
The result, combined with Sheffield Wednesday’s away victory at Huddersfield Town, saw Derby drop down to sixth just two points above the Bluebirds who remain seventh.
Slade added: “We’re still outside the play-offs. The challenge for us is to get into that top six.
“We’re still a couple of points adrift and we’re running out of games.
“It’s important that we focus on the next game against Burnley now and try and build on the result.
“Burnley are looking very strong and favourites to go up. It won’t be an easy place to go but we go on the back of a very important win.”
