Football: Kava-lry to rescue for soaring 'Birds

ONE flash of inspiration from captain Graham Kavanagh transformed an afternoon of growing despair into one of sheer relief for Cardiff.

There were just 11 minutes left and the Welsh club, for all their superiority, just could not break down a stubborn Wycombe defence.

But then the Irishman emerged as the hero as he struck the golden goal which keeps the Bluebirds still flying proudly near the top of the Second Division.

And an inspirational goal it was too - Kavanagh's first shot was blocked by Wycombe defender Andy Thomson.

But it was Kavanagh who reacted like lightening, to snap up the loose ball and skillfully curl his shot past the helpless keeper Martin Taylor and into the far corner of the Wanderers' net.

If that sent relief flowing through Ninian Park, then nobody was more grateful than Kavanagh's team-mate and long time pal Peter Thorne.

For Thorne, Cardiff's record pounds 1.7 million signing, had suffered one of those painful afternoons when he was left wondering just what he must have done to have upset the gods.

Twice he saw headers rebound to safety off the woodwork, in the 11th and 14th minutes.

Cardiff must have wondered just how they had not wrapped up those three points by the interval.

Wycombe were thankful to reach half time still on level terms, and they were forced into even more desperate defending in the second- half.

But Wycombe almost snatched a shock lead but Martyn Margetson, making his debut in Cardiff's goal in place of Neil Alexander - on European Championship duty with Scotland - came to the rescue twice with late saves to keep all three points in Cardiff.

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