Cardiff 1-0 Plymouth

Ledley will be in demand in the January transfer window

A first-half goal from in-demand midfielder Joe Ledley was enough to continue Cardiff's surge up the table.

Former Plymouth full-back Tony Capaldi pounced on a poor clearance and drilled in a shot that Pilgrims goalkeeper Romain Larrieu could only parry.

The loose ball fell straight to Ledley, who tapped home from close range for his second goal in as many games.

Lukasz Jutkiewicz came close to equalising with the last kick of the game, but Kasper Schmeichel saved well.

The Bluebirds have lost just once in their last seven matches, meaning that the play-offs are now a realistic aim.

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Cardiff manager Dave Jones:

"It was a battle throughout the game but we kept going.

"In the second half it looked like two very tired teams out there and, although we missed a couple of chances late on, we stuck to the task.

"It was a very important game to win as they are a very good side and now we need the break from league football as there are a lot of tired bodies in the dressing room."

Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock:

"It seemed to be a game too far for some of my players. Cardiff started well, scored the goal and it turned out to be difficult for us chasing the game as it seemed to sap our strength.

"Everybody seems able to beat everyone else in this division and if I can dabble in the transfer market we can maybe freshen things up as we need more competition for places.

"It is a very difficult division and my aim is to stay in the race for the play offs until I can strengthen."

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Cardiff: Schmeichel, McNaughton, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi, Whittingham (Thompson 71), Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Parry, Hasselbaink (MacLean 61).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse, Blake.

Booked: McNaughton.

Goals: Ledley 30.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Connolly, Timar (Doumbe 55), Seip, Hodges, Norris, Halmosi, Martin (Nalis 55), Abdou (Jutkiewicz 76), Ebanks-Blake, Easter.
Subs Not Used: McCormick, Summerfield.

Booked: Martin, Easter, Norris.

Att: 14,965

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).