Match Report | Cardiff City 1-0 Millwall
Dimitrios Goutas' second half winner earned Cardiff City a deserved three points at home against Millwall.
The Bluebirds dug deep and managed to come out the victors in a tight affair on Saturday afternoon at CCS.
A quieter first half saw chances few and far between for both sides, with the best falling to the visitors just before half time when Kevin Nisbet found himself open in the box from 10 yards out after a smart cutback, forcing a good hold from Alex Rúnarsson.
The first chance of the second half came in the form of a Nisbet free-kick, with the striker firing just wide of the far post on 57 minutes.
City came close to breaking the deadlock on 62 minutes when substitute Rubin Colwill fashioned space inside the box before firing wide.
A smart save by Millwall stopper Matija Sarkic denied Yakou Méïté just two minutes later after a smart passage of play following a poor throw in by the visitors.
As the Bluebirds grew into the half, replacement Kion Etete was presented with a golden opportunity after a Méïté header saw him one-on-one with Sarkic, though his effort flew over the bar.
City deservedly took the lead on 78 minutes when Goutas met a Joe Ralls corner in the air, placing a low header past the Lions' keeper to earn the defender a third goal of the season.
The visitors almost drew level with seven minutes to go as Duncan Watmore saw his toe-poked effort inside the box saved by the feet of Rúnarsson.
In the 88th minute Millwall attacker Aidomo Emakhu saw himself through on goal after a duel with Perry Ng, however his ball across the box failed to find anyone.
A composed performance in added time saw the Bluebirds hold on to the lead and take the points.
The Bluebirds are back in action at CCS on Wednesday night, taking on Birmingham City - 7:45pm KO.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 MILLWALL
Cardiff City: Rúnarsson, Goutas, McGuinness, Wintle © (Ralls 70'), Ugbo (Meite 46'), Bowler (Etete 70'), Grant, Collins, Siopis (Adams 89'), Ng, Robinson (Colwill 46'). Unused subs: Alnwick, Romeo, Panzo, Tanner.
Millwall: Sarkic, Wallace, Hutchinson, Nisbet (Bradshaw 70'), Mitchell, Flemming (Watmore 70'), Longman (Emakhu 81'), Campbell, Norton-Cuffy, Leonard, Harding. Unused subs: Bialkowski, McNamara, Esse, Honeyman, Grant, Adom-Malaki.
