Nottingham Forest 0 Cardiff 2: Danny Ward missile strike seals win for Bluebirds who edge closer to Wolves at the top of Championship

CARDIFF cemented their spot just behind Wolves at the top of the Championship with as Neil Warnock's side notched up a fourth consecutive victory at City Ground.

Junior Hoilett struck first for the Bluebirds before Danny Ward's screamer sealed the three points in the 2-0 win.

Forest have now lost seven of their last eight clashes with the Bluebirds and drawn once since they last beat them in October 2012.

Mark Warburton's side had been in good form at home, winning their previous four outings at the City Ground.

The Reds' Daryl Murphy failed to muster enough power in an early header to trouble Neil Etheridge while Kieran Dowell had a shot well blocked in a cagey start to the game.

Bluebirds skipper Sean Morrison was close to an own goal when dealing with a driven cross from Ben Osborn but the defender had a key role to play as the visitors took the lead - Morrison got on the end of a Joe Ralls free-kick to head the ball back into the danger zone, where Hoilett reacted quickest to send a header of his own beyond Jordan Smith.

Forest should have pulled level when a shot from Tyler Walker was deflected to Barrie McKay at the far post. He unselfishly cut the ball back for Murphy, but the big striker fired over uncharacteristically.

When Forest did manage to raise the tempo, they carved out a decent chance for Walker as McKay drove a low pass into the penalty area - but the forward tried to place the ball into the bottom corner and Etheridge saved well.

Sub Mustapha Carayol almost pulled a goal back for Forest immediately after coming on, but saw his driven shot bravely blocked by Morrison.