Bluebirds emerge victorious winners against Magpies

The Bluebirds began the game knowing that a single point would probably be enough to guarnatee that top six finish, but looked strangely lethargic and out of sorts as County made the running in the early stages.

Daniel Allsopp and Jeff Whitley both had chances to put County ahead, and it was no surprise when Richard Liburd did just that in the 11th minute to stun the huge majority of a bumper crowd at Ninian Park.

Whitley set it up with a glorious run through the middle that took him past two bemused midfielders and a defender before he ended his 40-yard burst by releasing the ball to Liburd on his left.

Allsopp was able to get in a header that beat Alexander only to come back off a post, and the rebound fell perfectly to Paul Heffernan, who completely miskicked and lobbed the ball straight back to the grateful goal keeper.

That was just about as close as County were to get as Cardiff began to pick up the pace. Robert Earnshaw saw a shot from 12 yards hit the bar and bounce down and away to safety before forcing Stuart Garden into a fine save early in the second half.

Leo Fortune-West forced himself in front of Peter Thorne and goalkeeper Garden to meet the kick with a glancing header at the near post and send it into the opposite corner.

Cardiff's Willie Boland saw his effort blocked just in front of the line, an overhead kick by Earnshaw flashed just wide and Garden had to make a fine 66th minute save to deny Young.

But it seemed Cardiff's pursuit of the winner was to be in vain when Earnshaw, with the goal at his mercy, blazed over the bar from 12 yards.

Cardiff 2-1 Notts