Freddie Sears, Cole Skuse and Daryl Murphy were on target for the Blues as they beat Cardiff 3-1 at Portman Road to cement their position in the play-off places. Sears put Town ahead after eight minutes and Eoin Doyle equalised for the Welshmen before Cole Skuse lashed in a 30-yard stunner on 29 - his first goal for the Blues - then Murphy sealed the victory in second-half injury time.

Jonny Parr returned to the side at right midfield for Luke Varney, who dropped out of the squad having suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Blackpool.

Stephen Hunt also came back into the team - his previous appearance was the Sheffield Wednesday game on February 10th - on the left for Jay Tabb, who switched to the bench. Former Town schoolboy Stuart O’Keefe was amongst the subs for the Bluebirds.

Town were first to threaten with Teddy Bishop sending over two early corners from the right. On two, skipper Luke Chambers headed over, then three minutes later Murphy flicked across goal and wide.

But the Blues faithful didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal. In the eighth minute Christophe Berra won the ball from Doyle in the Town area then looked up and hit a superb ball forward for Sears to chase.

The former Colchester man did well to hold off Bruno Ecuele Manga - who really ought to have done much better - before beating David Marshall with a shot which took a deflection to claim his eighth goal for the Blues and his 22nd of the campaign.

The visitors forced Bartosz Bialkowski into his first action of the game two minutes later. Joe Mason’s shot was blocked and the Polish keeper easily claimed Fabio’s weak header from the rebound.

Cole Skuse picked up his 10th booking of the season - fortunately with the deadline which would have seen him serve a two-match ban having passed on Sunday - for pulling back Mason on 12 and following an exchange of passes from the freekick the Bluebirds levelled.

Scott Malone was given time to cross from the left and an unmarked Doyle headed into the corner of the net.

Both sides probed for a further opening without significantly testing either keeper, Aron Gunnarsson, a trialist with the Blues as a schoolboy, heading a Peter Whittingham freekick from the left wide in the 27th minute when he might have done better.

But, after Berra had been booked for a foul on Doyle, it was the Blues who would reclaim the lead in the 29th minute, and what a goal it was.

Ecuele Manga stabbed away Tyrone Mings’s ball from left from the edge of the box and Skuse - previously without a goal in his near two seasons with the Blues - unleashed a fearsome 30-yard drive which beat Marshall and hit the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net.

The delighted midfielder ran towards the bench arm raised before beginning lengthy celebrations with club masseur and former keeper James Pullen and his team-mates.

Skuse, playing his 82nd game for Town, last found the net for Bristol City in a 2-0 home win over Barnsley in April 2012, having scored in a 1-1 draw with West Ham only four days earlier. It was his 10th career goal in 389 senior games.

The Blues came close to increasing their lead soon after when Murphy stabbed the ball away from Lee Peltier on the left but it just wouldn’t fall for Parr when in space on the edge of the area. On 41 Tommy Smith headed another Bishop corner over.

A minute later, the Bluebirds should have got themselves back on terms when Mason did well on the left and crossed to Fabio in space eight yards out at the far post. The former Manchester United man seemed set to score but instead cut the ball across the six-yard box ahead of the sliding Doyle and wide. It was a lucky escape for Town.

Referee Gavin Ward, who had irked the home support with a number of decisions, was booed off having signalled half-time.

The Blues just about deserved their lead at the end of a very open first period, although the visitors will feel that Fabio should have levelled just before the whistle.

The highlight of the period and the talk of half-time, however, was Skuse’s stunning strike for its quality as much as its rarity.

Three minutes after the break, Murphy wasn’t far away from netting his 24th goal of the season, Marshall impressively tipping his near-post header over from Parr’s right-wing cross.

After Whittingham had been extremely fortunate to get away without a yellow card for a cynical foul on a breaking Sears - Skuse and Berra had been booked for rather less - Tabb took over from Hunt on the left of the Town midfield.

While Whittingham had been lucky not to see yellow, Fabio could count himself even more fortunate not to have seen red in the 61st minute.

The Brazilian had already looked certain to be booked for a foul on Mings but then reacted angrily to what appeared to be a comment from the Town full-back, manhandling players and referee Ward out of his way as he tried to get to the Blues’ number three.

After Fabio had been calmed down by his team-mates and order was restored, Ward incensed the already angry home crowd by merely booking the Cardiff man and also cautioning Mings.

From the freekick taken by Tabb, Berra’s header was blocked and then after the ball had been sent back into the area the Scot’s hooked shot was also cut out.

Cardiff probably wisely withdrew Fabio on 63, the former QPR loanee appearing to make a gesture towards Mings as he left the field. Craig Noone took over.

There were sarcastic cheers from home fans in the 67th minute when Malone was booked for a foul on Sears.

Paul Anderson took over from Parr in the 74th minute, while the Bluebirds switched former Norwich winger Anthony Pilkington for Joe Ralls.

On 76, having been fouled by Sean Morrison, Sears’s 25-yard curling freekick deflected wide off the wall.

From the corner the Town twice went very close to extending their lead. Anderson sent the flag-kick over from the right and Marshall did well to block Smith’s downward header. The loose but difficult bouncing ball fell to Berra, but the Scot couldn’t keep his shot down and his effort struck the top of the bar before flying over.

Cardiff spurned another opportunity to get back on level pegging with five minutes remaining when sub Noone beat Mings on the right and cut the ball back to Gunnarsson on the penalty spot but the Icelander steered wide when he should have scored.

At the other end, Chambers saw an effort blocked from Anderson’s pass, then Skuse wasn’t too far away from his second of the game, volleying the loose ball into Marshall’s arms from the edge of the box.

Zeki Fryers replaced Bishop for the final three minutes of scheduled time, the on-loan Crystal Palace man going to left midfield with Tabb switching to the centre.

The points were finally sealed in injury time when Murphy netted his 24th goal of the season, the Irishman stabbing past Marshall from the edge of the area having been found by Skuse.

The Blues saw out the remaining minutes to claim another vital home victory. It was a well-deserved win on the overall balance of the game, despite Cardiff having missed two big chances to level at 2-1.

However, Town had largely been in control and had had other chances of their own prior to Murphy breaking his five-game dry spell - the longest of his season - at the death.

The result sees the Blues go three points ahead of both Brentford, who lost 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday, and Wolves, who were defeated 2-1 at Middlesbrough, ahead of Saturday’s crunch sixth-versus-eighth clash at Molineux.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bishop (Fryers 87), Parr (Anderson 74), S Hunt (Tabb 59), Murphy, Sears. Unused: Gerken, Chaplow, Williams, Wood.

Cardiff City: Marshall, Peltier, Malone, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Fabio (Noone 64), Ralls (Pilkington 74), Doyle, Mason. Subs: Moore, Adeyemi, O'Keefe, Kennedy, Harris. Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey). Attendance: 17,722 (Cardiff: 197)

Photo: Action Images

itfcsince1974 added 22:55 - Apr 14 Great result tonight. Also wolves and Brentford going our way. 3 points clear plus goal difference is worth 4. A point at Wolves and we are in the play offs. Optimistic? Maybe but excited? Definitely. COYB
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carsey added 22:58 - Apr 14 Great performance. Thought Fabio did a great job of sparking the crowd into life. How he wasn't shown a red card I don't know. Got to be the worst referee we have had anywhere this season. Pleased Skuse scored - more of that please - and Parr surely must start on Saturday.
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truthhurts added 22:59 - Apr 14 Skuse is sh*t. He offers nothing to the team! Oh hang on.... Consistently one of our star performers every week. How some people fail to notice this is beyond me
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StochesStotasBlewe added 23:03 - Apr 14 Cracking result, really good game, piss poor referee, goal of the season by MOM Skuse. The team mixed it up nicely tonight, Parr gives us that extra bit of quality, some good performances out there. Games under the floodlights seem to bring out the best volume wise of the supporters even when the attendance is on the average side, don,t know why this is. Big 6 pointer against Wolves, a win will put us out of their reach. COYB,s.

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PJH added 23:04 - Apr 14 Proud of them all. This display had everything that is great about our club-skill,determination,togetherness etc etc. A performance as at Watford would be good on Saturday,even including a 95th winner for us-if my nerves can stand it. Already looking forward to getting up early Saturday COYB
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bluelady added 23:06 - Apr 14 Great game high tempo, fantastic crowd and finally people are beginning to see what a great player Skuse is contributing at both ends.... Have always rated and couldn't work out why a few totally slatted him - he is hard working and an extremely intelegent player. Ref was a total joke, that was without question a red, what example is that showing when you alow a player to quite literally push you around!? Anyways it added to our desire to win, well done lads and great great night when I felt so proud to be a town fan

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EssexTractor added 23:07 - Apr 14 Berra a rock again. Sears plays with a lovely patient calmness. Murphy is fouled about 90 % of the time a defender challenges him but because HE is so honest and never squeals gets so few free kicks. Skuse best game I have seen him play because( even apart from his goal) he has found he can be dangerous going forward. Sweet pass for third goal. Less said about Fabio the better. But applause for Russell Slade for effectively red carding the nasty little man himself. Still much to play for but tonight it was good.

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BlueMachines added 23:10 - Apr 14 Good to see positivity from MM from the off. Chuffed for Skuse. He has been tremendous recently and being noticeably more positive/forward thinking the last few months. Goal deserved. Would've loved a rendition of "Are you watching Fabio" at the end. But delighted with 3 well deserved points.
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algarvefan added 23:14 - Apr 14 If we make the play offs, and it's looking good, then that has been a huge achievement for the manager, staff and players this season. The play offs are a lottery, but have we hit form at the right time? Lets hope so, go up or not we could have only have dreamt of this a few years ago Well done Mick & team!!!
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dannyrr added 23:18 - Apr 14 Brilliant game and result. Other results went our way too. Well done to Cole Skuse for his screamer of a goal would love to see more of those. The officials were awful tonight ref giving Town players easy yellow cards but refusing to give Cardiff any for worse. Linesman mised a few blatant offsides and how Fabio managed to stay on the pitch I don't know. That doesn't send out a good advertisement for football when kids watch that and see it not being dealt with. He spent most of the match whining when he wasn't getting decisions go his way. Let's kee it up and take Al, three points at wolves COYB

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ChestnutSe added 23:30 - Apr 14 Brilliant game, performance and atmosphere tonight. Well done everyone
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StowTractorBoy added 23:45 - Apr 14 Make no mistake this was a massive result against a Cardiff side with only pride to play for and a team who ran their socks off. I thought Cardiff were a very good side apart from the petulance of Fabio whose behaviour was a disgrace. We had a bit of a let off 5 minutes from time when Gunnarsson should have scored from inside the box but we thoroughly deserved the win and thought our crowd really got behind the boys tonight. Sears was a livewire and Murphy looked far sharper tonight than on Saturday and so pleased he scored as he had been on 23 for some time. We must not get too carried away yet as if we lose on Saturday it will be back in the balance. Lets enjoy tonight and the next few days and go again Saturday. Well done MM, TC and the team tonight.

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harlingblue added 23:45 - Apr 14 Good to see us on the front foot from the off, team selection spot on. Sears a sensation, Murphy back in the groove and what a cracking goal matching his performance by Skuse. Our best overall team performance for some time in a very entertaining game.
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DazBent added 23:47 - Apr 14 Anyone now considering a trip to the Molineux this Saturday, I urge you with every muscle in my body to attend. For the last 10 years this is our biggest away game. Let the players hear us and bring the boys home!
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 23:58 - Apr 14 Have seen nothing of the game, which is a pity as it sounded like a great event from all that I'm trying to piece together. Three points of pivotal importance and made all the better by nearest promotion rivals having themselves a setback. It must have been just like Town supporters dreamed it last night. Good to see Murphy back among the goals after a recent dry spell and pleased also with Sears again on target. McCarthy has not been everyone's choice this season but this last few days should at least keep any doubters slightly less conspicuous. It seemed for a time we had thrown away a play-off chance only a few games recent but the belief is once again back but don't ask me how it will all end. What a great opportunity with three games remaining, and the possibility of a trip to the national stadium, and at the end of it all - an EPL place as the eventual prize. Town has let me down in recent months with some lackluster performances and disappointing scores but all will be redeemed if this team can keep this going for the last few games remaining and get back into the top six once again, not seen for quite some time.

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essexbluey added 00:15 - Apr 15 Just back in southend iam loveing it. Funny place portman road it seems the less fans that turn up the better the atmosphere. That dwarf fabio got the crowd going nicely thanks wee man. Be happy with a draw at wolves. Come on.
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ScottITFC14 added 00:51 - Apr 15 Tonight was my first game at PR for a couple of years. I'd braced myself for seeing a lot of high balls but I was genuinely shocked at the number of aimless punts forward we made. Don't get me wrong, we had a squad of players that ran themselves into the ground, but that was without doubt the worst "footballing" display I'd ever seen. I've seen a better standard of football played in my Sunday League! I can't even remember us stringing 3 or 4 passes together. It's worrying we have a class defender in Mings but his first instinct is to lump the ball up in the air. So many times he had the opportunity to retain possession, work a 1-2 or attempt to beat his man and deliver, yet there is a real lack of ambition if he is happy to lump it long. Thank god we have Sears in our team as without him we'd be so predictable. Although a good 3pts, still a lot of work to be done. If we were to play like that in the Premiership I think I'd rather we stayed in the Championship. Hopefully Williams can get himself fit and have a big influence on the way we play our football. I don't want Ipswich to be known as a second rate Stoke.

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shaunkingitfc added 00:54 - Apr 15 I think it is a very good game vs Cardiff But I think Cardiff Wos bad tonight but got some good players .. Had off day Well done to mick and terry for all there help but wy is jonny Williams not playing I relly don't get it I fort he Wos amazing when With us at start I Wos think about how many wins we would need and Brentford have got easy games out of Ipswich and wolves I think if we get 4 points out of 3 games we will be in playoffs And in final. I hope we get Norwich I know We lost home and away but they know we are Better so will get nervous and Ipswich will win

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gorse added 02:05 - Apr 15 ScottITFC welcome to the championship. As you may have noticed we have a massive forward who breaks his nose to score goals and a pace merchant who scores for fun. You may get on supporting Man U if this disappoints you. We have a team who can pass well when comfortable but until then we play to our strengths eg the top goal scorer in the league, who drags defences open for others etc etc traditional holding play. This is not rocket science, iirc two of the last clubs promoted played traditional 442 albeit with a lot more money. You bemoan trad football but yet 2 clear goal win tonight. Oh we can't do this in the premiership except oh Southampton who we would have beaten except for a goalkeeper error who hasn't played since. Can only beat who's in front if you, and you aren't going to play the same against a Cardiff vs a Southampton or an Arsenal, who we have been known to beat Harsh rant on my part but sick of ppl not realizing it's horses for courses, and that MM does adapt.

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battyblue added 05:11 - Apr 15 Well done great performance just what we needed to set up the end of season even Scuse came up with something special.
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warktheline added 07:01 - Apr 15 Showdown at Molineux!!! I can't stop smiling this morning!
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billlm added 07:40 - Apr 15 Proper game of football loved it, thanks to to Cardiff for wanting to try and get something out of it, now we have 2 very capable midfield players
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NoelTheDub added 08:09 - Apr 15 bohslegend As your referring to me I was working last night and as you should know by now Im not hiding and as usual I have plenty to say.First of all I was very happy with our positive team selection and judging by that I was very confident of getting a result.Delighted to see Sears again doing the business how can anyone drop him I never know also Parr should never be on our bench and Hunty you never know what he can do but he is front footed which is what we need.Super result well deserved from what I've heard and hope Mick keeps those forward minded players on the park.

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wessextractorboy added 08:27 - Apr 15 ♫♫ Sweet Daryl 9, da da da ♫♫. To the tune of sweet caroline. Good to see murph back in the goals. Were coming to get you Wolves.
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Cloddyseedbed added 08:32 - Apr 15 Great result and performance. The passion and belief is back on the field and in the stands. 3 excellent goals well taken. I thought the team selection was spot on, more energy and bite in the wide area's and Cardiff not given time on the ball. Good bench to have to come on with good alternatives. Far more football on the ground last night and far more pleasing on the eye. Worked hard to get back into top six, would now be a huge disappointment to miss out on play offs. Prefer to meet Watford in 1st round please!

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