Cardiff City need just one point to secure promotion to the Premier League after beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Championship this afternoon.
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A red card for Darius Henderson just before half time meant that it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the away side.
The Championship leaders started well, putting the visitors' defence under pressure with a series of crosses into the box. Karl Darlow and his defenders responded well, though.
Both teams settled into the game after that without really fashioning a clear chance. Heidar Helguson went close for the home side before Dexter Blackstock was denied for Forest.
Cardiff took the lead midway through the first half when Helguson met Craig Bellamy's free kick to steer the ball in from six yards.
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The visitors thought that they were level five minutes later when Lewis McGugan turned and fired into the top corner. He was adjudged to have fouled Aron Gunnarsson, though, and the goal was chalked off.
It got even worse for Forest just before half time, when referee Andre Marriner deemed use of an elbow and sent Henderson off after a clash with Helguson.
Cardiff brought on Rudy Gestede at half time and upped the pressure in the second half.
After a couple of half chances, they got their second goal thanks to the substitute. Bellamy's free kick hit the post and bounced wide, and from the resulting cross Gestede rose highest to head to ball home.
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They really started to dominate after that. Jordon Mutch and Leon Barnett both missed good chances after quick counter-attacks from Cardiff.
It was 3-0 before long, though, when Bellamy again found space and delivered the ball to the back post, where Gestede was waiting to head in his second goal.
Daniel Cross
