Two late goals from substitutes Andre Vidigal and Cauley
Woodrow snatched victory for League One play-off chasers Wycombe Wanderers at
10-man Cardiff City, who lost more ground on leaders Lincoln City.
Cardiff were well on top when their centre-back Gabriel Osho
was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge on Ewan Henderson shortly before
half-time.
Despite Osho's dismissal, the hosts maintained control after the break and continued to create chances, while Wycombe gradually showed a little more attacking ambition.
With 11 minutes remaining, Aaron Morley's long ball over the
top found Vidigal, who controlled with his chest and finished into the bottom
far corner.
Five minutes later, Woodrow headed in from close range to
end a run of two successive defeats for Wycombe and lift them up to eighth in
the table, two points adrift of the play-off places.
As for Cardiff, back-to-back home losses – coupled with
Lincoln's injury-time equaliser at Huddersfield Town – mean they are five
points behind the Imps.
The Bluebirds also saw their advantage over third-placed
Bolton Wanderers cut by one point to 10 following the Trotters' goalless draw
at home to Doncaster Rovers.
Analysis: Cardiff's 10 men dig in but fall short
Playing more than half the game with 10 men was another
stern test of character for Cardiff in their bid to make an instant return to
the Championship.
Brian Barry-Murphy's side were dethroned at the League One
summit by Lincoln in their most recent home fixture, but a thumping 4-0 win at
Exeter City last time out had got them back on track.
Hopes of closing the four-point gap to Lincoln were helped
by the Imps trailing 2-0 at Huddersfield during the first half, combined with
the Bluebirds' own assertive start against Wycombe.
Rubin Colwill's three goals in his previous two games had
already suggested he was back in the groove after three months out injured, and
the way the Wales international conducted play here offered further evidence.
The Cardiff captain dazzled with his footwork as he created
opportunities for himself and team-mates, most notably one for Omari Kellyman
which the Chelsea loanee somehow skied from close range.
Just as the hosts looked to crank up the pressure, however,
they were reduced to 10 when Osho rashly slid in on Henderson.
To their credit, Cardiff did not retreat. They kept
possession and continued to attack, with Cian Ashford almost putting them in
front as he fired wide after a mazy run.
Wycombe prioritised defensive solidity, but eventually
demonstrated some threat as substitute Junior Quitrina shot narrowly wide.
They went direct for the opening goal, centre-back Morley
lifting a long diagonal ball over the Cardiff defence for Vidigal to take down
before finishing.
The second was similarly straightforward with Woodrow
nodding in to send the small contingent of travelling fans wild, while stunning
the home crowd into momentary silence.
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng, Osho, Lawlor (Robinson 85’),
Bagan (Scanlon 72’), Wintle, Robertson (Turnbull 63’), R.Colwill, Tanner
(Willock 63’), Ashford, Kellyman (J.Colwill 63’). Subs Not Used:
Fish, Chambers.
Wycombe Wanderers: Norris, Grimmer, Taylor, Allen,
Harvie, Morley, Boyd-Munce (Leahy 90+3’), Onyedinma, Henderson (Quitirna 57’),
Harris (Vidigal 71’), Lowe (Woodrow 57’). Subs Not Used: van Sas,
Nuggins, Mullins.
