Lawrence delighted with defence

Kavanagh celebrates reaching the play-off final

Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence praised the quality of his team's defensive performance after their goalless draw at Bristol City sealed a place in the Division Two play-off final.

The Bluebirds won 1-0 on aggregate after Peter Thorne scored the only goal of the tie in Saturday's fixture at Ninian Park.

Lawrence's side will now contest the Division Two play-off final at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, 25 May and the manager was delighted.

Their opponents will be decided on Wednesday when Queens Park Rangers and Oldham Athletic play the second leg of their tie following a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Match report: Bristol City 0-0 Cardiff (Agg 0-1)

"That was the best defensive performance we have given since I arrived at Cardiff, without a shadow of a doubt," said Lawrence.

"We were absolutely determined and although it was never the plan to have to defend for 35 minutes out of 45 in the second half, we were simply forced back by Bristol.

Afterwards, I made a point of shaking every Bristol City player by the hand because I have got absolute respect for them

Lennie Lawrence

"I expected that spell of pressure to last 15 or 20 minutes but it lasted 35 and if you are defending like that for 35 minutes out of 45, normally you would expect to concede.

"But credit to my lads, they were up for it big time and I think over the two legs we deserved to go through.

Bluebirds joy with victory

"It was a classic play-off game in that there was not a lot of football played and it was what happened in the two penalty boxes which was going to count.

"Afterwards, I made a point of shaking every Bristol City player by the hand because I have got absolute respect for them.

"If they had played us six weeks ago then they would have been favourites to beat us but it's all about timing, it's all about who is fresh and who has got it together and in my team they met an immovable object.

"Now we are there in the play-off finals and we are delighted for the fans."

Bristol manager Danny Wilson was gracious in defeat.

"It was a game of few premium chances but what chances there were, we created," said Wilson.

My boys have given everything, they were shattered in the dressing room

Danny Wilson

"But we sometimes lacked that little bit of quality and Neil Alexander made some great saves for Cardiff.

"On the balance of play, of course, we deserved to get that goal we were desperately craving but from their perspective, they will say they defended very well.

"From our perspective we lacked that quality, we were that little bit short, and we couldn't find that opening.

"But my boys have given everything, they were shattered in the dressing room, and it is desperately disappointing for us to have come so far and then lost at this stage.

"It probably won't sink in for them for a couple of days but we will have them in at the end of the week, sit them down, talk to them and remind them what a successful season they have had."

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