West Brom 2-1 Cardiff

Cardiff's Richard Langley is stopped by the Baggies defence

West Bromwich Albion secured a nailbiting victory over Cardiff at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Neil Clement's 55th-minute header put the promotion-chasing Baggies in front.

But Cardiff substitute Alan Lee's glancing header hauled the Bluebirds level with 10 minutes remaining.

However, the hosts enjoyed the last laugh as Lee Hughes stabbed home the winner from point-blank range with less than five minutes to go.

Joe Murphy made his first start of the season in goal for the Baggies because of Russell Hoult's back injury and was soon in action.

The Republic of Ireland international stretched to keep out an early shot from Robert Earnshaw after Paul Parry's left-wing cross.

The striker tested Parry again with eight minutes gone, but it was his Wales team-mate on the Albion side, Jason Koumas, who was catching the eye.

The midfielder fired a 25-yard effort that warmed the fingers of Cardiff keeper Martyn Margetson.

The home side were largely in control for the remainder of the half as Paul Robinson, Neil Clement, Mark Kinsella and Koumas again, with a free-kick, all went close.

The Bluebirds' resistance was broken 10 minutes after the restart when Koumas swung over a cross from the left and Clement's header from six yards out left Margetson with no chance.

Cardiff registered a deserved equaliser via the forehead of substitute Lee, who rose highest in a crowded penalty area to meet Graham Kavanagh's cross.

There was time for a final twist, however, as Baggies skipper Thomas Gaardsoe sent a powerful header goalward for Hughes to apply the final touch.

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West Brom: Murphy, Haas, Gaardsoe, Moore, Robinson, Koumas, Kinsella, Johnson, Clement, Horsfield, Hughes. Subs: Pressman, Gregan, James Chambers, Dyer, Skoubo.

Cardiff: Margetson, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Langley, Boland, Kavanagh, Parry, Earnshaw, Thorne. Subs: Lee, Prior, Robinson, Campbell, Alexander.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).