FT: Middlesbrough 0-2 Cardiff

Ben Turner and Joe Mason both struck within the space of eight first-half minutes as Cardiff leapfrogged npower Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough back into the top six.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Apr 2012, 18:13 BST

Cardiff defender Turner headed home Liam Lawrence’s corner in the 11th minute and early substitute Mason converted another Lawrence assist from close range eight minutes later as Malky Mackay’s side rekindled their promotion hopes with their first win in six matches.

Boro winger Adam Hammill struck the post with a vicious shot early in the second half and substitute Marvin Emnes forced Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall into a fine save with 15 minutes left, but otherwise Tony Mowbray’s side were restricted to long-range efforts as they chased the game after the break.

Both sides had seen their play-off chances falter in recent weeks after drawing their previous four matches and, while the Bluebirds’ second win in 11 games lifted them a point above seventh-placed Brighton, Boro have now failed to win any of their last seven and drop down a place to eighth.