Championship wrap: Cardiff on move, Boro draw blank again

Cardiff City moved into the play-off places with a 2-1 win over leaders Southampton, as Middlesbrough drew 0-0 with Leicester City.

A double from Scot Kenny Miller within the space of seven second-half minutes was enough for the Bluebirds to hand Saints only their second defeat of the Championship season and move up to sixth in the process.

Steve de Ridder scored three minutes into stoppage time for Southampton to set up a nervy finale for Cardiff, but they were good enough to hold on.

The game burst to life in the second half with chances falling to Saints Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana either side of Miller’s first goal for the hosts.

Lambert heading a gilt-edged chance wide on 50 minutes before Miller jumped highest to nod home a long ball in the 56th minute.

It was the 31-year-old’s first goal in eight games and came just before Lallana was denied an equaliser by a brilliant save from David Marshall.

Miller capitalised on a misplaced pass to drive a low shot into the far corner to make it 2-0 and rub salt into Southampton’s wounds.

Lambert could not add his seventh strike of the season, heading wide once again before de Ridder pounced late on with a consolation for the visitors.

At the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough moved up second despite being held to a goalless draw by Leicester.

Joe Bennett went close for Boro with his strike rebounding off the post, while Jermaine Beckford came closest for Leicester before the former Toffee was forced from the field with an injury.

Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson made his first league start in three years since taking up his loan spell at Leicester but he had to endure a relatively dour affair.

Beckford was forced off just after the interval having headed over on 25 minutes, while Marvin Emnes drew an excellent save from Kasper Schmeichel in the Foxes’ goal.

Boro’s second 0-0 league draw in succession means they are now level on 19 points with Southampton and Derby but remain sandwiched between both sides on goal difference.