The Bluebirds managed to keep in touch with the play-off places as they defeated Preston North End at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The away team had gone five games unbeaten before the trip to south Wales, facing a Cardiff side who were desperate to pick up all three points themselves.

Russell Slade’s men stretched their unbeaten home run to thirteen games and got back to winning ways, thanks to two penalties from Anthony Pilkington.

The game was not the biggest spectacle in the world but that was expected as both teams were eager to win and push up the table.

As we enter the final stages of the Championship season, every point is vital and Cardiff supporters will be happy that their team managed to keep their unbeaten home run going.

FLW writer Callum Ellis highlights THREE things he learned from the game as Cardiff moved up to seventh, whilst Preston drop to tenth place…….

1)      Anthony Pilkington impressed once again

Despite not scoring in mid-week against Middlesbrough, Anthony Pilkington showed how important he is for the Bluebirds by scoring two goals and adding to his tally for the season.

Cardiff supporters will be delighted that Pilkington has hit form at a perfect time and will be hoping that he can fire them to a top six finish.

The Republic of Ireland winger did superbly well to win the first penalty of the day, he then stepped up to take the spot kick and fired the ball past Lindegaard in the Preston goal.

2)      Anders Lindegaard showed his class

The former Manchester United goalkeeper showed why he can still play in the top-flight by denying the home side on several occasions.

Lindegaard denied the in-form Pilkington from opening the scoring early into the game, sensationally saving a header from point-blank range.

There wasn’t a lot the goalkeeper could do to prevent Pilkington from scoring the two goals, both coming from the penalty spot after some poor defending from the away side. However, thanks to some sublime saves from the Danish goalkeeper, the scoreline finished 2-1.

3)      The Bluebirds are very much in contention for the play-offs

Some of the Cardiff supporters may have wrote off their side’s chances of making the play-offs earlier in the season.

However, after Russell Slade’s side have managed to go thirteen games unbeaten at the Cardiff City Stadium, the fans will now start to believe that a top six finish is definitely achievable.

Cardiff have made their home ground a real fortress this season but need to achieve a few more points away from home in order to be a major contender for a play-off place.