City earn three precious points in Cardiff

• Late own-goal clinches City all three points
• Wilmot attempt saved onto Fish and past Horvath
• City went close earlier efforts from Baker, Manhoef and Thompson

Stoke City extended their unbeaten run to four matches and moved five points ahead of hosts Cardiff City after Ben Wilmot’s late effort deflected off Will Fish to seal victory in front of 1,600 travelling Potters in South Wales.

Mark Robins’ men found the decisive goal five minutes from time when Wilmot’s shot was saved onto the Bluebirds’ defender and over the line to spark elation in the away end at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Robins, who restored Ali Al-Hamadi to the starting XI in a single change from Tuesday’s draw with Luton Town, saw his side be positive from the outset in the Welsh capital and they worked an excellent opportunity to open the scoring inside four minutes.

Al-Hamadi, Eric Bocat and Bae Junho combined down the left flank to tee-up Lewis Baker 20 yards from goal, though City’s number eight, on his 100th league appearance for the Club, couldn’t keep his effort down.

The hosts then tried their luck from outside the box when Captain Callum O’Dowda fizzed a left-footed drive from range past the far post.

City’s full-backs then combined and almost produced the opener as Bocat drove deep into the Cardiff half and whipped an exquisite cross towards the back post which Junior Tchamadeu prodded just over the crossbar.

Midway through the first half, referee Michael Salisbury instructed the players to leave the field as paramedics and medical staff from both clubs assisted a medical emergency in the home stand. 

Following a significant pause in play, the supporter was taken to hospital, with the thoughts and best wishes of all at Stoke City going to the individual and their family.

Once play restarted, the Potters were within inches of breaking the deadlock when Jordan Thompson picked the ball out of the sky from 25 yards and struck a vicious volley against the crossbar.

Sam Gallagher was introduced at the interval for Al-Hamadi and almost made an immediate impact when Million Manhoef floated a ball towards the far post, but with the striker lying in wait, the ball was deflected out by Fish.

In the 51st minute, Manhoef charged forward from deep inside the Cardiff half and, as he reached the edge of the box, he dragged a shot wide of the far post.

The Netherlands under 21 international then came close two minutes later when he received the ball from Thompson inside the box and fired a shot towards the near post which forced Ethan Horvath into a low save.

At the other end, the hosts created their best chance ten minutes from time when Isaak Davies poked the ball over the crossbar from close range.

As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes, City grabbed a deserved late winner when a Tchamadeu long throw caused bedlam inside the box before Horvath’s save from a Wilmot shot deflected off Fish and into the back of the net to the delight of the Potters’ support packed into the corner of the stadium.

Substitute Lewis Koumas had the opportunity to add to the Potters’ lead in stoppage time after Gallagher nodded the ball into the Wales international’s path, but his first time effort was parried away by Horvath.

This afternoon’s victory takes City five points clear of the Bluebirds in the league’s bottom three, with a Good Friday fixture against Sheffield Wednesday next up for Robins’ Potters.