Wimbledon 0-1 Cardiff

Croft celebrates the winning goal

Cardiff extended their unbeaten run to seven games as Gary Croft's cross-cum-shot in the 15th minute was enough to beat struggling Wimbledon at the National Hockey Stadium.

The defeat left the Dons rooted at the foot of the table as the visitors continue their push for a play-off place.

The home side had the first effort when Nigel Reo-Coker's 30-yard shot was well held by goalkeeper Neil Alexander in the 11th minute.

Cardiff got the breakthrough after a quarter of an hour when Croft's inswinging cross from the right missed everyone in the penalty box and floated into the net.

Striker Robert Earnshaw came close to adding a second after 35 minutes but his effort from the edge of the box was clutched by Banks.

Cardiff's Mark Bonner was booked in the 43rd minute for a foul on Reo-Coker but the Welsh side looked largely in control going into the interval.

There were very few chances in the second half and it took Cardiff 20 minutes to carve out their first opportunity, Earnshaw shooting over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Lawrence took Robinson off in the 67th minute, with Willie Boland taking his place in a bid to secure the result.

Mikele Leigertwood joined McAnuff in the book for a foul on Langley and Dean Holdsworth was sent on as a 75th-minute substitute as the Dons pushed for an equaliser.

Howver, the equaliser never came and Cardiff condemned Wimbledon to their 14th defeat in 19 league games.

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Wimbledon: Banks, Darlington, Herzig, Leigertwood, Lewington, McAnuff, Reo-Coker, Chorley, Nowland, Small, Agyemang. Subs: Holdsworth, Martin, Gray, Gier, Harding.

Cardiff: Alexander, Croft, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Robinson, Bonner, Langley, Gray, Gordon, Earnshaw. Subs: Prior, Campbell, Thorne, Boland, Margetson.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).