By Jordan Jones
Romaine Sawyers’ last minute volley saw Cardiff City defeat Reading 1 – 0, their second vital win in the space of four days.
The Bluebirds secured the first victory of boss Sabri Lamouchi’s reign by beating Birmingham City at St Andrews last Tuesday night.
And they followed it up by winning in front of their home fans against the Royals to ease their relegation worries.
Cardiff struggled to break down a stubborn Reading side for 90 minutes.
But in the first minute of time added on, former West Brom midfielder Sawyers smashed home a volley from the edge of the box to decide it.
Cardiff went close six minutes in when Sory Kaba headed a deep cross from Jaden Philogene just wide.
Kaba had an even better opportunity after 20 minutes to put the home side ahead when he got a free header at the back post off Callum O’Dowda’s free-kick but again failed to hit the target.
Reading were not a threat in the first half and their frustration began to build.
When troublesome Bluebirds striker Kion Etete was brought down by a careless Scott Dann challenge just outside the visitors’ area, Perry NG failed by inches to covert his second free-kick in as many matches after his pinpoint goalscoring effort at Birmingham.
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For too much of this contest Cardiff, the Championship’s lowest scorers this season, showed the same lack of cutting edge that has long stymied their progress.
The best chance of the game came in the 72nd minute when City danger-man Callum Robinson his the crossbar after a one-two with substitute Joe Ralls.
Just before that, Reading could have taken the lead.
Cardiff goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, with Reading’s Yakou Meite bearing down on him, totally mis-kicked before only just managing to prevent Meite from scoring.
But in added time Sawyers delivered the crucial blow, firing his effort into the bottom right corner to spark frenzied celebrations.
Cardiff travel to Norwich next Saturday, hoping to make it three wins on the bounce – and they will do so with confidence considerably higher than it was just a week ago.