Cardiff 0-2 Crystal Palace

Cardiff's Alan Lee battles with Tony Popovic

Second-half goals from Andy Johnson and Wayne Routledge helped Palace see off Cardiff and leapfrog above them in the race for a play-off place.

Johnson met Julian Gray's cross from the left to slot home Palace's opener.

Danny Gabbidon volleyed just over as Cardiff pushed forward but their hopes faded when Tony Vidmar was sent off for two bookings on 85 minutes.

And Routledge made sure of the win for the Eagles when he fired home after being sent clear by Johnson late on.

In-form Cardiff had picked up 10 points from their last four games and enjoyed most of the early running at Ninian Park.

Gabbidon, Richard Langley and Robert Earnshaw forced Nico Vaesen into fine saves before the break.

But the home side were punished for failing to take their chances and drop to 11th in the table, one place below Palace.

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Cardiff: Margetson, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Collins, Croft, Langley, Whalley, Robinson, Parry, Lee, Earnshaw. Subs: Bullock, Barker, Gordon, Campbell, Alexander.

Crystal Palace: Vaesen, Butterfield, Hudson, Popovic, Granville, Hughes, Routledge, Riihilahti, Gray, Shipperley, Johnson. Subs: Freedman, Derry, Leigertwood, Black, Berthelin.

Referee: T Parkes (W Midlands).

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship Table
08 June 2009 20:55

		P	GD	PTS
1	Barnsley	0	0	0
2	Blackpool	0	0	0
3	Bristol City	0	0	0
4	Cardiff	0	0	0
5	Coventry	0	0	0
6	Crystal Palace	0	0	0
7	Derby	0	0	0
8	Doncaster	0	0	0
9	Ipswich	0	0	0
10	Leicester	0	0	0
11	Middlesbrough	0	0	0
12	Newcastle	0	0	0
13	Nottm Forest	0	0	0
14	Peterborough	0	0	0
15	Plymouth	0	0	0
16	Preston	0	0	0
17	QPR	0	0	0
18	Reading	0	0	0
19	Scunthorpe	0	0	0
20	Sheff Utd	0	0	0
21	Sheff Wed	0	0	0
22	Swansea	0	0	0
23	Watford	0	0	0
24	West Brom	0	0	0