David Marshall sat among the Hull City substitutes thinking back to happier times.
‘Marshy’ was Cardiff City’s starting goalkeeper when they were promoted to the Premier Division under manager Malky Mackay – and now Neil Warnock is intent on repeating that feat.
But the big Scot could only look on with fellow Scot Allan McGregor in goal for a Hull City team aiming to stay out of relegation trouble.
Former Bangor City manager Nigel Adkins took charge of Hull earlier this month and his task is to steer the Humberside club to calmer waters, while Warnock would be ecstatic if he could lead the Bluebirds to promotion.
Warnock has been promoted seven times in football management – and nobody has ever achieved eight. At the age of 69 his burning desire is to steer Cardiff back into the top flight.
Their 1-0 win against Hull at Cardiff City Stadium means Warnock’s warriors are four points behind Championship leaders Wolves and lying second.
There is a four points gap to Bristol City in third and, crucially, the Bluebirds are 11 in front of Leeds United, who are just outside the play-offs.
This was the first time in nine matches between these teams that Cardiff have kept a clean sheet and even without injured captain Sean Morrison they kept things tight and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was able to stop all Hull efforts fired at him.
They had to fight, they had to battle and scrap every inch of the way.
But they are prepared to do that and have now earned 16 points from the last 18 on offer. That’s five wins and a draw from the last six fixtures.
Warnock was ecstatic and danced with joy across the pitch, punching the air in delight as Sky television, who broadcast the match live, interviewed matchwinner Sol Bamba and playmaker Lee Tomlin.
The next test for Warnock’s men is against struggling Bolton Wanderers away next Saturday.
Morrison’s absence mean Bruno Manga moved into the centre alongside Bamba, while Lee Peltier was at right-back. When Peltier was forced off, Callum Paterson took over that role.
The only goal of the game came when Tomlin and Anthony Pilkington combined and the big centre-half steered his header into then corner. Tomlin whipped in a magnificent inswinging cross and Pilkington got in front of a defender to flick on with his header.
Bamba was on the run and finished in style with a stooping header.
It was a close decision and Bamba was flirting with offside, but he timed his run to perfection and scored.
The appearance of Pilkington was a surprise after he suffered a back spasm before the 2-2 draw at Reading. He was in such pain that Pilkington could not even get off the team bus, but he recovered in time to face Hull.
“We deserved that,” said Warnock. “We have a platform now and a spine through the time. Joe Ralls has been outstanding.
“We all have four or five players coming back over the next few weeks.
“The three officials (referee Scott Duncan and his assistants) played their part. They were super today.
“But we have 24 matches to play and we won’t be getting carried away.”
Morrison was a big miss after suffering a groin strain, while forward Danny Ward had knee surgery last Thursday and will miss Cardiff’s Christmas fixtures.
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Peltier (Paterson 82), Manga, Bamba, Bennett, Tomlin (Halford 83), Ralls, Damour, Mendez-Laing, Pilkington (Bogle 68), Hoilett. Subs not used: Feeney, Connolly, Murphy, Healey.
Hull City: McGregor, Tomori, Dawson, Mazuch, Aina, Hector, Larsson, Toral (Bowen 64), Irvine, Grosicki, Dicko (Diomandea 67). Subs not used: Marshall, Luer, Clark, Olley, Clackstone.
Referee: Scott Duncan
