Cardiff City 2 - 1 Southampton

Cardiff 0-0 Southampton

Updated: August 9, 2008, 7:25 PM UK

An injury-time goal from Roger Johnson was enough to give Cardiff a 2-1 home win over Southampton at Ninian Park.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Johnson towered above the Southampton defence to head home Stephen McPhail's teasing free-kick.

Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis kept Cardiff at bay in the first half but was unable to prevent Steven Thompson putting the home side in front, before David McGoldrick levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Southampton boss Jan Poortvliet handed the captain's armband to Michael Svensson, who was making his first appearance for Saints in three years.

The veteran centre-back almost celebrated his return with an early goal, but he headed wide from Lee Holmes' corner.

Cardiff should have been in front minutes later when Gavin Rae crossed for Thompson, who failed to connect properly with the header from close range.

The home side continued to push forward and Davis got down well to save Luke McCormack's shot, before he made another fine save from Thompson's left-foot strike.

Despite all their pressure Cardiff were still unable to find a way past Davis, who continued to frustrate and tipped Thompson's 20-yard shot around the post.

Four minutes before the interval that pressure finally told when Thompson latched onto McNaughton's cross and fired a curling shot past Davis.

Cardiff looked to be heading into half-time with a deserved lead, but Southampton silenced the Ninian Park crowd when McGoldrick nodded home an unlikely equaliser after good work from Andrew Surman on the left.

The home side began the second half well and Joe Ledley sent a shot from the edge of the box over the bar.

With 57 minutes gone Johnson rose highest to meet Peter Whittingham's corner, but Davis came to Southampton's rescue once again with a superb reaction save.

Moments later another Whittingham corner found Glenn Loovens, who headed wide from six yards when he should have at least hit the target.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones brought on new signing Jay Bothroyd as his side pushed for a second and Johnson fired over the bar.

Rae also sent a long-range shot off target, before Johnson had to be alert to block Adam Lallana's shot.

With time running out Cardiff poured forward in search of a winner, but Southampton were restricting them to long-range efforts with Paul Parry firing wide.

However, just as it looked as though Southampton would steal a point, McPhail's free-kick found Johnson unmarked and he powered a header past Davis.