Goals in each half from Heidar Helguson and Mark Hudson saw Cardiff get back to winning ways in the Championship with victory over Hull City.

Helguson gave the home side the perfect start when he scored with a brave header from Craig Noone's cross.

Cardiff wasted several chances to extend their lead before Hudson sealed victory with a diving header from Aron Gunnarsson's cross.

Robert Koren scored a late consolation but Cardiff held on for the win.

The win was Cardiff's eighth consecutive victory at Cardiff City Stadium and a much needed three points after two away defeats.

Malky Mackay responded to his side's 5-4 defeat at Charlton by making three changes with Kevin McNaughton, Gunnarsson and Kim Bo-kyung restored.

Cardiff defender Ben Turner battles for the ball with Hull's David Meyler and James Chester

Cardiff defender Ben Turner battles for the ball with Hull's David Meyler and James Chester

Steve Bruce, taking charge of a team for the 600th time, made just one change with injured son Alex being replaced in defence by Abdoulaye Faye.

Cardiff, as had been the case in two of their previous three games, were ahead within the opening five minutes.

From Noone's cross, Helguson nodded home to give his side the lead but the former QPR player required lengthy treatment for his bravery.

Having taken the lead Cardiff were looking comfortable and chances continued to come their way.

Hudson, who was making his 300th career league appearance, saw a header rattle the bar while Joe Mason and Gunnarsson also went close.

Hull began to come back into the game as the match headed towards the interval with Koren having a shot blocked before Sone Aluko's effort went over the bar.

The Tigers did have the ball in the net just before the break but Jay Simpson's effort was ruled out for offside.

Ben Amos denied Noone early in the second half while Helguson failed to test the Hull keeper a minute later.

Aluko then came close to his seventh goal of the season in the 70th minute with a 25 yard free-kick that clipped the bar.

The impressive Peter Whittingham then tried his luck from a free-kick only to see Amos make a sensational save.

But a minute later captain Hudson's flying header sealed the victory for Cardiff before Whittingham struck the bar with a 30 yard free-kick.

Koren set up a nail-biting finale with a stunning 25-yard volley in stoppage time but Cardiff held on for a much needed and deserved win.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay said: "We started like a house on fire. We looked like we could have scored three or four.

"We went on the front foot in the second half and didn't give them a breath. I always thought the second goal was coming. They scored a wonder goal at the end, but I'm proud of my players.

"I'm delighted that we have the best home record in English football and we're only two points off the top of the table. But I won't let up on them. We will try to be as consistent for as long as possible."

Hull City manager Steve Bruce: "I thought Cardiff were the better side and we were nowhere near the level we've been at in recent weeks.

"But it might have been different had the disallowed goal been given. It was a big turning point in the game. It's a baffling and ridiculous decision and a big call.

"It's a difficult one to take. Even though we haven't played well in the first half, we were getting into the game in the last 15 minutes. If we'd scored then it might have been a different story."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Cardiff City

  • 01 Marshall
  • 02 McNaughton (Kiss - 19' )
  • 03 Taylor
  • 05 Hudson
  • 06 Turner Booked
  • 07 Whittingham
  • 13 Kim Bo-Kyung Booked
  • 16 Noone
  • 17 Gunnarsson
  • 20 Mason
  • 22 Helguson (Gestede - 66' )

Substitutes

  • 32 Lewis
  • 31 Nugent
  • 04 Kiss (Ralls - 46' )
  • 11 Conway
  • 21 Ralls
  • 25 Frei
  • 15 Gestede

Hull City

  • 22 Amos
  • 02 Rosenior
  • 05 Chester
  • 15 McShane (Brady - 56' )
  • 23 Faye
  • 27 Elmohamady
  • 08 Evans
  • 10 Koren
  • 29 Quinn (Mclean - 75' )
  • 11 Simpson (Meyler - 56' )
  • 24 Aluko

Substitutes

  • 01 Jakupovic
  • 04 McKenna
  • 16 Olofinjana
  • 31 Meyler
  • 09 Mclean
  • 30 Brady
  • 33 Proschwitz
Ref: Williamson
Att: 20,058

Match Stats

Shots

14 11

On target

8 5

Corners

11 1

Fouls

11 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:18 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +3:38

Abdoulaye Faye is flagged offside by the assistant referee. David Marshall takes the free kick.

89:57 Goal scored

Goal - Robert Koren - Cardiff 2 - 1 Hull Goal scored by Robert Koren from just outside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Cardiff 2-1 Hull.

89:32

Ahmed Elmohamady sends in a cross, Mark Hudson manages to make a clearance.

88:30

Unfair challenge on Liam Rosenior by Craig Noone results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Ben Amos.

87:49

The ball is sent over by Craig Noone, clearance made by Ahmed Elmohamady.

85:36

Robbie Brady is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by David Marshall.

85:05

The ball is crossed by Bo-Kyung Kim, Abdoulaye Faye makes a clearance.

83:43

Unfair challenge on Bo-Kyung Kim by David Meyler results in a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Peter Whittingham from the free kick,

83:43

David Meyler gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Bo-Kyung Kim. Indirect free kick taken by Peter Whittingham.

83:29

Craig Noone sends in a cross, clearance made by James Chester.

81:28

Assist on the goal came from Aron Gunnarsson.

81:28 Goal scored

Goal - Mark Hudson - Cardiff 2 - 0 Hull Mark Hudson finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Cardiff 2-0 Hull.

81:11

The ball is crossed by Aron Gunnarsson,

80:20

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham from the right by-line, Ben Amos makes a save.

79:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Craig Noone by David Meyler. Shot on goal comes in from Peter Whittingham from the free kick, save made by Ben Amos.

78:30

Robert Koren concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Mason. Free kick taken by Peter Whittingham.

78:11

Ahmed Elmohamady crosses the ball, Ben Turner makes a clearance.

77:15

Corner taken left-footed by Sone Aluko, save by David Marshall.

76:25

Foul by Aaron Mclean on Ben Turner, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by David Marshall.

75:44

A cross is delivered by Sone Aluko, save by David Marshall.

74:34 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Quinn leaves the field to be replaced by Aaron Mclean.

70:19

Sone Aluko shoots direct from the free kick,

70:19 Booking

Booking Ben Turner is given a yellow card.

69:58

Foul by Ben Turner on Stephen Quinn, free kick awarded.

68:49

The official flags Joe Mason offside. Ben Amos restarts play with the free kick.

68:13

Craig Noone takes a shot. Ben Amos makes a save.

67:03

Outswinging corner taken by Peter Whittingham.

65:22 Substitution

Substitution Rudy Gestede on for Heidar Helguson.

64:54

Shot from long range by Sone Aluko goes wide of the left-hand upright.

63:42

The ball is sent over by Robbie Brady, clearance made by Joe Mason.

62:46

Free kick awarded for a foul by Sone Aluko on Mark Hudson. David Marshall restarts play with the free kick.

62:24

Centre by Robbie Brady.

61:55

Abdoulaye Faye fouled by Heidar Helguson, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Ben Amos.

61:24

Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Quinn on Andrew Taylor. Free kick taken by David Marshall.

59:33

Sone Aluko crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Andrew Taylor makes a clearance. Robert Koren produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.

59:33 Booking

Booking Booking for Bo-Kyung Kim.

59:12

Unfair challenge on Sone Aluko by Ben Turner results in a free kick.

56:39

Header from deep inside the penalty area by Heidar Helguson goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

55:19 Substitution

Substitution Robbie Brady replaces Paul McShane.

55:19 Substitution

Substitution David Meyler on for Jay Simpson.

55:19

Joe Mason takes a shot. Ben Amos makes a save.

52:50

Centre by Craig Noone.

50:51

Outswinging corner taken by Peter Whittingham from the left by-line.

49:38

The ball is delivered by Craig Noone, Paul McShane makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham, Ben Amos fouled by Aron Gunnarsson, the ref awards a free kick. Ben Amos takes the indirect free kick.

48:59

Peter Whittingham fouled by Sone Aluko, the ref awards a free kick. Peter Whittingham restarts play with the free kick.

45:52

Ahmed Elmohamady concedes a free kick for a foul on Bo-Kyung Kim. Free kick taken by David Marshall.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution (Cardiff) makes a substitution, with Joe Ralls coming on for Filip Kiss.

45:00 +6:03 Half time

Half Time The referee blows for half time.

45:00 +5:04

The referee gives a free kick against Jay Simpson for handball. David Marshall restarts play with the free kick.

45:00 +4:32

Stephen Quinn takes a shot. Ben Turner gets a block in.

45:00 +4:07

Jay Simpson takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Hudson.

45:00 +3:39

Foul by Mark Hudson on Jay Simpson, free kick awarded. Robert Koren restarts play with the free kick.

45:00 +2:18

Craig Noone challenges Liam Rosenior unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Ben Amos.

45:00 +1:24

Jay Simpson is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by David Marshall.

45:00 +0:41

Heidar Helguson concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul McShane. Ben Amos takes the free kick.

44:13

Shot from just outside the box by Sone Aluko misses to the right of the goal.

41:58

Heidar Helguson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Quinn. Stephen Quinn restarts play with the free kick.

39:59

Craig Noone produces a left-footed shot from close in that goes over the bar.

38:56

Inswinging corner taken by Peter Whittingham, clearance made by Ahmed Elmohamady.

38:15

Ahmed Elmohamady produces a cross, save by David Marshall.

37:32

Stephen Quinn delivers the ball, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.

35:39

Shot from just outside the box by Sone Aluko goes over the target.

35:15

Robert Koren takes a shot. Mark Hudson gets a block in.

34:40

The assistant referee flags for offside against Heidar Helguson. Indirect free kick taken by Abdoulaye Faye.

32:35

Stephen Quinn produces a cross.

30:49

Outswinging corner taken by Peter Whittingham from the left by-line, free kick awarded for a foul by Aron Gunnarsson on Ben Amos. Indirect free kick taken by Ben Amos.

30:21

Heidar Helguson fouled by Paul McShane, the ref awards a free kick. Peter Whittingham restarts play with the free kick.

29:10

Peter Whittingham takes the outswinging corner, Header from close range by Mark Hudson misses to the right of the goal.

28:50

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham from the right by-line, Ben Amos makes a clearance.

28:32

Peter Whittingham delivers the ball, clearance made by Paul McShane.

25:52

Foul by Heidar Helguson on Corry Evans, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Abdoulaye Faye.

20:12

Bo-Kyung Kim fouled by Ahmed Elmohamady, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Andrew Taylor.

18:50 Substitution

Substitution (Cardiff) makes a substitution, with Filip Kiss coming on for Kevin McNaughton.

18:29

Robert Koren produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.

15:13

The ball is crossed by Peter Whittingham, Aron Gunnarsson has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

14:50

Corner taken by Peter Whittingham, Paul McShane makes a clearance.

13:35

Corner taken by Peter Whittingham.

13:08

The ball is crossed by Aron Gunnarsson, Joe Mason takes a shot. Save made by David Marshall.

11:44

Corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham from the left by-line, Mark Hudson takes a shot.

10:20

Robert Koren takes a shot. Save made by David Marshall.

9:16

Handball by Heidar Helguson. Ben Amos takes the free kick.

7:42

Corry Evans concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Noone. Peter Whittingham has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, save by Ben Amos.

2:42

The assist for the goal came from Craig Noone.

2:42 Goal scored

Goal - Heidar Helguson - Cardiff 1 - 0 Hull Heidar Helguson scores a headed goal from close range. Cardiff 1-0 Hull.

1:23

Ben Turner takes a shot. Blocked by James Chester.

0:43

A cross is delivered by Ben Turner, Abdoulaye Faye manages to make a clearance.

0:21

Handball decision goes against Ahmed Elmohamady. Peter Whittingham restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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