Neil Harris has urged his Cardiff City team they must make the most of the next week if they are to break into the Championship top six.
The Bluebirds are up to eighth in the table and are now only four points behind the play-off places after their 1-0 win at Luton Town.
Lee Tomlin scored the only goal of the game as Harris’s side moved above Swansea City in the table – on goals scored – for the first time this season.
Cardiff now have games to come at Huddersfield on Wednesday and at home to Wigan on Saturday – both clubs that are alongside Luton in the bottom six.
“It’s a huge week, us playing three teams in the lower reaches of the division and we just thought today was a game we had to try and win if we’re serious about being in the top six,” said Harris.
“The game was vital to us to pick some points up. We started the game really well, but were sloppy with the ball, which caused us a few problems on the counter attack and I thought we were lucky not to be behind at half time.
“The second half was so much better, a lot more professional and some real moments of quality as well.
Cardiff City with a solid 3pts to take back home from Luton.
4pts from Playoffs, and above the Jacks whilst playing some dire stuff at times, seeing where we are has slapped me round the face at how NH is actually doing a decent job!#CardiffCityShithousingResultsAndILovesIt— Benni (@Bennifactor) February 9, 2020
“It looked like the only thing we were missing today was that end product in the box, but then Lee Tomlin, time and time again since I’ve been here, has got that moment.”
Tomlin decided the contest with 17 minutes to go, winning it for the visitors when his effort from just outside the box nestled into the bottom corner.
Luton manager Graeme Jones said: “We out-possessed them, we created more chances than them, and the boys gave absolutely everything they have got.
“The game boils down to two moments where Tomlin, he doesn’t hope to score, he makes sure he can score.
“We had a really good opportunity – an incredible one-v-one – and you have to take them if you’re going to win the game and we didn’t.”
