Wolves post match highlights, reaction and pics

Last updated : 03 March 2015 By Michael Morris

Pics from Jon Candy

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joncandy/sets/72157651023004426/

C:WindowsTempphpB81E.tmpKenny Jackett is daring to dream of automatic promotion after watching his Wolves side win 1-0 at Cardiff in the SkyBet Championship.

Bakary Sako's goal gave the visitors all three points at Cardiff City Stadium to make it four wins from five and spoil Vincent Tan's first visit of the season.

The Malaysian owner had not watched his Bluebirds in action since May last year, but his presence could not help them to victory, with their cause not being helped by the second half sending off of Peter Whittingham.

While the Welsh club plot a new way forward, former Swansea boss Jackett is dreaming big as his side hit form at just the right time to move within two points of the play-offs, and eight of leaders Derby.

He said: "You can only look at your own form but we have goals and spirit in this team and those are things we can capitalise on.

"Your own performance level is everything and it is still there for us. It is possible to go on a run of eight or nine wins out of 10 and you have to believe we can do it.

"This run is coming at the right time for us and we want it to continue because it is giving us a very good opportunity.

"This is a big club, as Wolves we are always looking to be up there and we will keep going."

Sako's goal came from Wolves first threatening attack. Benik Afobe laid the groundwork by breaking away from Craig Noone and finding Rajiv van La Parra on the right flank. The wide man's cross was not the best, but Sako tucked away his 11th goal of the season when it struck Bruno Manga and fell into his path.

Afobe had chances to extend the visitors' lead but was twice denied by David Marshall, firstly from Sako's unselfish lay-off and then from Aron Gunnarsson's terrible backpass.

But Whittingham's first career red card, having needlessly picked up a second booking for bringing down Matt Doherty, stirred Cardiff and they had the better of the final 25 minutes.

The aerial prowess of Kenwyne Jones seemed to unnerve Wolves keeper Tomasz Kuszczak and he had two let offs in the closing minutes.

He flapped at a Craig Noone free-kick but was not punished, before another piece of uncertain keeping forced Richard Stearman to clear Jones' header off the line.

It left Cardiff boss Russell Slade frustrated at not being able to deliver victory for Tan, who he revealed had addressed his players 90 minutes before kick-off.

"The owner was very pleased and he thought we were unlucky," said Slade. "He spoke to the players before the game and I have spoken to him afterwards and he was happy with what he had seen.

"We deserved something from that and the changing room is a bit down and we will have to do some work picking them up.

"Losing Whitts seemed to galvanise us and we had a couple of chances which on another day might have gone in."