Cardiff 2 Nottingham Forest 1: Aron Gunnarsson bags the winner after Sean Morrison’s opener as Bluebirds return to automatic promotion spot
Neil Warnock's side moved above rivals Fulham after securing three points at the Cardiff City Stadium
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ARON GUNNARSSON struck a priceless goal to send Cardiff a giant step closer to the Premier League.
The Icelandic midfielder has missed most of the season with injury.
But he popped up in the right place at the right time to send the City fans wild.
It was rough justice on Forest who were the better team on the night.
But Bluebirds’ boss Neil Warnock won’t care about that.
With only pride to play for, Forest looked far more relaxed than their hosts.
They broke at pace and caused City’s miserly defence no end of problems.
Joe Lolley should have done much better when he burst into the box in the ninth minute.
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Sadly, Lolley’s shot with his weaker right foot sailed over the bar.
Shortly after, Morrison did well to block a shot from Ben Brereton.
But the real golden chance came in the 24th minute.
Liam Bridcutt found himself in acres of space in the Bluebirds’ box.
However, his first touch was inexplicably heavy and City keeper Neil Etheridge was quick to react.
Against the run of play, Cardiff scored from a tried and tested set piece.
Joe Ralls whipped in a 35th minute corner to the far post where Morrison rose to head home from four yards.
It was the 13th time Forest have conceded from a corner this season.
To their credit, Forest were straight back at City with Jack Colback testing Etheridge from 20 yards.
The visitors looked dangerous in the final third where Matty Cash and Brereton posed a real threat.
Warnock was forced to make a change at the interval with Sol Bamba replacing Lee Peltier.
And his City side almost doubled their lead two minutes into the half.
Kenneth Zohore found himself in a one on with Forest keeper Stefanos Kapino.
The Dane chipped the advancing Kaprino but watched in disbelief as the ball hit the inside of the post before being hacked clear by Danny Fox
Two minutes later Forest made the Bluebirds pay/ the ultimate price.
Ben Osborn escaped on the left and delivered the perfect ball for midfield dynamo Bridcutt.
The twice-capped Scotland midfielder took no time in side-footing the ball over Etheridge from eight yards.
Cardiff were getting increasingly desperate as the game moved into the final quarter.
Gunnarsson launched half a dozen throws into the box.
But Forest had the answer every time.
Even when Joe Bennett’s pin point cross found Zohore, Fox did enough to put off the City front man.
The crowd did their bit to lift a side for whom victory was an absolute must in the eyes of Warnock.
They might have a game in hand. But as the Championship has proven once again this season, there are no guarantees.
The final throw of the dice for Warnock involved bringing on Norwich loanee Yanic Wildschut.
And the Dutchman played his part in the goal that might just see City into the top flight.
His long ball was misjudged by Michael Mancienne who was forced to bring down Zohore on the edge of the box.
Junior Hoilett’s free kick was knocked down by Bamba at the far post and Gunnarsson lashed the ball home from five yards.
