Kightly comeback gives Wolves hope as Wembley casts a shadow over sorry Cardiff

Dave Jones's decision to remain on his sick-bed proved a wise one as Mick McCarthy's side moved comfortably to within two points of the play-off zone.

Cardiff's boss failed to travel to his former stamping ground due to a chest and throat infection and was at least spared watching the FA Cup finalists lie down all too readily in the Black Country.

First-half goals from Andy Keogh and Sylvan Ebanks- Blake put Wolves in firm command as they made up their game in hand on the promotion-chasing pack. And then Molineux erupted 11 minutes after the interval as Michael Kightly, making his first start following five months out with an ankle injury, scrambled home a rebound.

The victory put McCarthy's side in with a slim chance of overhauling one of the top six, and ended any slim hopes Cardiff had of doing the same. "We didn't play as well as we did on Saturday against Ipswich," said McCarthy, "but it's about the result. And it was vital.

"We are looking for grace and favours from elsewhere. It would be nice to still be in the competition after May 4.

"And there will be a few twitching at the moment. The league is so cock-eyed and topsy-turvy that anything can still happen."

But as Jones's deputy Terry Burton pointed out at the final whistle, there was little wrong with Cardiff's overall play. "We lacked devilment in both penalty areas," said Burton afterwards.

That was evident in all three goals. Kightly made his first telling contribution of the evening in the eighth minute, spreading a ball to the right that was headed into the danger zone by Kevin Foley.

Striker Andy Keogh darted between two defenders and sent a header into the top corner of Peter Enckelman's net.

It was the same combination that cracked the Bluebirds' defence one minute before the break. This time, Foley swung a cross to the far post and Keogh intelligently chose to head the ball back across the face of goal.

Ebanks-Blake won the race with the Cardiff defence, sticking out a leg to prod the ball home from a couple of yards.

The biggest cheer though, was reserved for Kightly. Again the visitors' defence did not help themselves. A half-hit clearance was smashed goalwards by Ebanks-Blake, Enckelman spilled the shot and the former Grays Athletic winger converted from close range.