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

Cloddyseedbed added 08:34 - Apr 15 Shame we had a young and naive ref who Cardiff were bulling all night. Not quite sure what game the ref was watching last night as right in front of us Fabio landed one on Mings after the foul. No doubt, he should have walked.
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degausser added 08:53 - Apr 15 Firstly, a GREAT confidence boosting win against a decent side, not so long ago playing premiership football. The creativity and chances created yesterday was very promising, hoping we've found a slice of that form we had mid season. Secondly, am I the only one that gets embarrassed by the constant moaning at referees? Even when they aren't that bad? Granted, tonight's sounded like a SHOCKER, but we won! Ignore it! Don''t sink to Fabio's level! Against Bournemouth for example, was there a need to come across as whingy, moany fans when a small and insignificant decision goes against you and to act like spoilt brats in front of the sky cameras with a chorus of undeserved "S*&% Refs! We only get s*$% Refs!" Anyway, great for Skuse to get on the scoresheet, and with such a belter too! He'll start banging them in from now on!

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rachelsdad added 09:11 - Apr 15 good performance, great result and a great strike from Skuse. With exception of Hunt ,who was a waste of space, they all played their part. Sears once again ran his socks off, Murphy got the goal his outplay deserved and a great goal at last from one of our midfield players.Ref was an absolute joke but one of the best nights at Portman Road for a long time. Can Mick work the miracle ?? we can only hope. Role on Saturday.

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Gazelle added 09:18 - Apr 15 Just shows what can happen when you're prepared to shoot from 30 yards, something we rarely do.
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Geoff added 09:30 - Apr 15 Great win but still conceding goals still obvious the right back position needs to be addressed.
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juniorblue added 09:49 - Apr 15 Excellent result, well done lads! Looking forward to the Wolves game which I think we can win. Let's keep the momentum going.
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ITFCFan added 10:13 - Apr 15 A point away to the Wolves and were in!! Let's av'it boys!! You deserve it!!!
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BackTheBlues added 10:29 - Apr 15 Thoroughly deserved win - we were the better team controlled the game and played some decent football at times. Defence looked better, having watched the highlights their goal was a great cross! We're in the play offs, 3 games to go 3 points clear. I just hope whatever happens, the fans stick with the team and are proud of what they've achieved, this points total any other year gets us in the play offs. We're where we should be in the league in the play offs we're not top 2, now let's have one last push and get back to where we left off 10 years ago!

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Slambo added 10:41 - Apr 15 Someone on here moaned about the quality of support last night. They must have an ear infection or something, cuz the atmosphere was absolutely raucous, even before the Fabio/Mings incident. Apropos of that, it was a load of handbags and I don't think Fabio should've been sent off; the main mistake the ref made (and there were many) was booking Skuse for a nothing challenge after 12 minutes! Refs that try to 'assert' themselves like that consistantly set themselves up for a fall. He looked a young lad and someone should have a word with him... Otherwise, a gutsy, determined and exhilarating performance - couldn't sleep a wink when I got in! Yes, we are a direct, route one team - GET OVER IT. There are many was to skin a cat. One more thing - LOVED the Freddie Sears chant to the Flinstones theme tune! Quirky and different...

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Razor added 10:43 - Apr 15 Pleased other people eventually acknowledging how good Skuse is, been say ing it for ages. More solid performance last night despite couple of scares and sets Saturday up nicely. Anybody know the injury situation----for example would Didds and Hyam make the play-offs? Bru training again I think and must get in and more game time from Williams please, or what was the point of bringing him hear? Comments NOT moans.

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KiwiTractor added 10:46 - Apr 15 Ditto all the positive comments on here. Yessss
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Bergholtblue added 10:55 - Apr 15 I don't know why everyone is saying that a point against Wolves would see us in the play offs. Brentford slipped up last night against a top 4 side, their next 3 games are against a lot weaker opposition. Should they get 9 points (and I would be expecting 9 points were they Town's opposition) from the next 3 means we would need to win at least 2 of our next 3 matches.

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ScottITFC14 added 10:57 - Apr 15 @ gorse That's fair enough. I can only go on what I saw yesterday, which was 'kick and rush' style of football that I'd only expect to see at U8 level! I think you're doing Murphy a great disservice if you think aiming for his head brings the best out of him. Yes he is a great target man, but importantly he has great feet. I'd say about 60-70% of the high balls we knocked forward yesterday ended with Cardiff possession. If we tried to get the ball into Murphy's feet a bit more I think we would have carved out a lot more chances. It would also make our play a lot less predictable. If I'm honest I think you're a bit deluded if you think we deserved a 2 - goal win on that performance. Skuse goal came out of nowhere, without that goal we were in trouble. Fabio missed a sitter and someone else poked one wide quite late on. Yes we hit the bar but think Berra would have done well to score from there on his right. Very small margins that went our way last night and I think without a bit of luck result could have been very different!

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StowTractorBoy added 11:31 - Apr 15 Bergholt Blue Brentford lost to Sheffield Wednesday who are hardly a top 4 side. Anything can happen in football but we are certainly not there yet and it will be difficult make no mistake.
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bohslegend added 11:33 - Apr 15 Its been mentioned already but I think we need to get behind the team for the remaining games. Individual opinions on who should or shouldn't be in the team are fine - that's football, but whether you've agreed or disagreed with MM's selections in the past we are now 3 games to the playoffs and have more points on the board than for many many years. I think if it's forward momentum we want at ITFC then we have the right manager and the right players, we just need to support them now rather than question them. If we are going to look back on results that didn't go our way and use that as a stick for the managers back, lets not conveniently forget that all of the other competing teams have had results against them too and even slumps, but just like us are still competing for promotion. Managers do not always get it right, how could they? Fact is they can only be judged properly over the course of a full season, and by any measurement we have done bloody well this season regardless of how it ends.

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warktheline added 11:48 - Apr 15 @bohslegend, top post, let's keep it that way till end of season, come what may. It's not them v us....we all need to get behind each other and team. COYB.
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scunnyblue added 12:24 - Apr 15 BONKERS!!!!
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TimmyH added 13:12 - Apr 15 Vital win...and sounded a good game, so it's all in our own hands (which is the main thing). Short and sweet from me as my mum past away yesterday...a true tractormum whose first game we saw was at home to Palace in 1980 which we came from behind to win 3-2. Love you xx.
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bohslegend added 13:44 - Apr 15 TimmyH so sorry to hear your sad news. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
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battyblue added 14:43 - Apr 15 Not surprised how much better we looked when MM had to go for the win instead of the normal don't get beaten philosophy i hope this is the pattern of play for the remainder of the season and not back to playing just for a point at Wolves,,finally well done to everyone who stepped up to the task tonight Parr, Sears,Bishop,Mings especially but most had a solid game keep it up.

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DebsyAngel added 14:47 - Apr 15 Condolences and hugs to you Timmy H - such sad news. RIP to your Mum xxxx
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BuckieBlue added 15:44 - Apr 15 Whatever happens on Saturday, it will almost certainly go to last game. If we can get point on Saturday, we must have a great chance and if we do make the play offs then we'll go into them on good form against 2 sides who will be gutted at just falling short and a Derby side who must have thought they we're nailed on for top 2 not that long ago. All-in-all that thing called momentum plus MM/TC's experience can see us thru!

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Cakeman added 16:08 - Apr 15 One of the most enjoyable matches of the season for me. Not just be because we won but we did it with some flair too. Cardiff were no mugs but we restricted their chances to a minimum. Even kept Whittingham quiet and he has been a pain to us on numerous occasions. Well done lads, keep it going please.
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:04 - Apr 15 TimmyH Sincere condolences mate.
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jas0999 added 18:13 - Apr 15 Great result last night. I really enjoyed the game. Cardiff better than I expected, but actually we were in control. Only negative for me was on the left wing. Thought Hunt was very average and Tabb not much better when he came on. Sears looks a very good but and yet again demonstrates that little bit extra quality you can buy with a very modest fee investment. Frees are good and there are deals out there, but sometimes it is necessary to spend on a couple of fees. The defence played well. Midfield much better, particularly Skuse, whilst front two very dangerous. The keeper worries me though! Overall very pleased. Funny game football. Looked out of it and now it's very much in our hands again.

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