Last updated on .From the section Championship

Liam Bridcutt of Nottingham Forest is challenged by Cardiff City's Aron Gunnarsson

Cardiff City took a big step towards promotion to the Premier League as Aron Gunnarsson's first goal in a year ensured victory over Nottingham Forest.

Forest looked to have frustrated Cardiff as a rare Liam Bridcutt strike cancelled out Sean Morrison's first-half opener.

But Gunnarsson, 28, drove home with 16 minutes left, leaving Cardiff needing six points from three games to go up.

Defeat meant Forest's hopes of a top-half finish finally disappearing.

The win moved the Bluebirds into second, one point ahead of third-placed Fulham and they play their game in hand away to Derby on Tuesday, 24 April.

Morrison's fifth headed goal of 2017-18

Cardiff City boss praises his players after their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Forest will again be reminded of the work needed if they are to challenge under Aitor Karanka next season.

Though they broke their run of six games without a goal in last weekend's win over Ipswich, they will rue some of the missed chances and poor set-piece defence that undermined some encouraging football in the Welsh capital.

Forest's Joe Lolley broke clear nine minutes in, but smashed his shot over the bar from inside the area while Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was able to smother the danger when Bridcutt attempted to finish a threatening counter on 23 minutes.

Morrison lost possession in the build up to that chance following an uncharacteristic error, though he responded in familiar style from a set-piece.

His 35th minute goal from Joe Ralls' corner was his fifth of the season, each of them headers.

Forest's set-piece weakness

Forest have conceded 13 goals from corners this season

It exposed another Forest weakness; the goal was the 13th conceded from a corner this season and the 25th from a set-piece, the most in the Championship.

The visitors were inches away from conceding a second three minutes after the restart, Kenneth Zohore racing onto Gunnarsson's through ball only for his clipped shot to hit the post and bounce away when it seemed the Dane had scored.

And it proved costly just moments later when Cardiff's defence was breached, substitute Sol Bamba being caught out and Bridcutt left free to direct home Ben Osborn's cross, scoring his first goal in seven years in the process.

Cardiff had shouts for a penalty turned down, but eventually they found their breakthrough when, from another set-piece, Bamba nodded down and allowed Gunnarsson to lash home from close range.

It was the Iceland international's first goal since the same fixture at this time in 2017, though his effort in blocking a Jack Colback shot with five minutes remaining was just as important.

Cardiff go to Derby on Tuesday knowing victory could be enough for promotion if Fulham lose at home to relegated Sunderland on Friday.

Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock:

"We always make it interesting - that's why TV love us because there's never a dull game.

"We haven't played as well as we can, but it's all about getting a result, especially playing last, late on a Saturday.

"The goal gave us a jolt, [Forest are[ playing with freedom with nothing at stake. All credit to boys, they don't know when they're beat. They're an amazing group of players, I'm ever so proud of them."

Forest manager Aitor Karanka:

"It's a game we could have win 2-1 or 3-1. It's frustrating for me.

"It is something we need to address. It is impossible to win games if you don't take your chances.

"We have improved, but we need to score when we create.

"Nobody expected Cardiff to be in this position, but they deserve to be there."

Line-ups

Match Stats

Live Text Line-ups Cardiff 25 Etheridge

2 Peltier Substituted for Bamba at 45' minutes

4 Morrison

5 Ecuele Manga

3 Bennett

8 Ralls

17 Gunnarsson

21 Bryson Substituted for Paterson at 87' minutes

19 Mendez-Laing Substituted for Wildschut at 71' minutes

10 Zohore

33 Hoilett Substitutes 13 Pilkington

14 Bamba

18 Paterson

24 Grujic

28 Murphy

35 Wildschut

44 Madine Nottm Forest 33 Kapino

2 Lichaj

3 Figueiredo Substituted for Mancienne at 60' minutes Booked at 73mins

13 Fox

11 Osborn

7 Bridcutt Substituted for Guédioura at 71' minutes

18 Colback Booked at 90mins

32 Watson Booked at 74mins

14 Cash

17 Brereton

23 Lolley Substituted for Vellios at 81' minutes Substitutes 4 Mancienne

5 Guédioura

20 Dowell

27 Darikwa

31 Bouchalakis

39 Vellios

43 Smith Referee : Peter Bankes Attendance : 21,310 Match Stats Live Text Post update Match ends, Cardiff City 2, Nottingham Forest 1. Full Time Second Half ends, Cardiff City 2, Nottingham Forest 1. Post update Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by Kenneth Zohore (Cardiff City). Booking Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Post update Foul by Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest). Post update Callum Paterson (Cardiff City) wins a free kick on the right wing. Post update Attempt missed. Joe Ralls (Cardiff City) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Aron Gunnarsson. Post update Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by Callum Paterson (Cardiff City). Post update Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by Kenneth Zohore (Cardiff City). Post update Foul by Apostolos Vellios (Nottingham Forest). Post update Sean Morrison (Cardiff City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution Substitution, Cardiff City. Callum Paterson replaces Craig Bryson. Post update Attempt saved. Sean Morrison (Cardiff City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Joe Ralls. Post update Foul by Adlène Guédioura (Nottingham Forest). Post update David Junior Hoilett (Cardiff City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Post update Delay over. They are ready to continue. Post update Delay in match Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City) because of an injury. Page 1 of 6 rewind previous Navigate to the next page next Navigate to the last page forward

SAM's prediction Home win 67% Draw 20% Away win 13%

SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine, is a super-computer built by @ProfIanMcHale of the University of Liverpool.