Garner strike earns Forest win over Cardiff

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Manchester United loanee James Garner scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Cardiff City.

The hosts began the match on top, testing ‘keeper Brice Samba early on through Leandro Bacuna. The former Villa man fired straight at him after excellent linking from Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson.

Forest threatened consistently through Sammy Ameobi down the Cardiff left, and he came close albeit for a vital block from Aden Flint.

It would be from this avenue that Cardiff would be exposed though. After Ameobi and Cyrus Christie linked further, the Irish international crossed for James Garner.

The United loanee, who’s been impressive for the Midlands outfit, fired home consummately for his third of the campaign.

Before half-time, Mick McCarthy’s men came close with a wonder-strike from Will Vaulks which whiskered past Samba’s frame.

They improved in the second period, with Forest timewasting regularly to effect.

Bacuna again found himself in front of goal but shinned over on the volley. But this was one of few examples where they were in a creative situation and failed to test Samba.

Moore and Wilson then had their chances blocked. It was reminiscent of Cardiff’s own performance in the South Wales Derby.

The visitors held on to go 11 clear of the drop zone, but it leaves Cardiff four points from the playoffs.

Forest will want to further ease their relegation worries when they take on QPR on Easter Monday, while the Bluebirds will look to make amends from the defeat when they head to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday.

Cardiff City: Phillips; Sang, Nelson, Flint, Brown, Ralls; Pack, Vaulks; Bacuna, Wilson, Moore

Subs: Smithies, Ng, Colwill, Williams, Hoilett, Ojo, Murphy, Harris, Watters

Nottingham Forest: Samba; Christie, Worrall, McKenna, Blackett, Yates; Garner, Ameobi, Cafu, Mighten; Grabban

Subs: Smith, Romero, Mbe Soh, Colback, Freeman, Murray, Krovinovic, Knoackaert, Taylor