Roger Johnson scored an injury-time winner for Cardiff as they secured a 2-1 win against Southampton.
Bluebirds seal opening day victory thanks to injury-time strike
Roger Johnson scored an injury-time winner for Cardiff as they secured a 2-1 win against Southampton.
Steven Thompson had given the Bluebirds a first-half lead, only to see David McGoldrick bring the scores level seconds before the break.
However, Johnson's late strike ensured that Dave Jones' men began the 2008/09 campaign with maximum points.
Michael Svensson almost celebrated his return to the Saints first-team after three years out with an early goal, but he headed wide from Lee Holmes' corner.
Cardiff should have been in front minutes later when Gavin Rae crossed for Thompson who failed to connect properly with the header from close range.
The home side continued to push forward and Davis got down well to save Ross McCormack's shot, before he made another fine save from Thompson's left-foot strike.
Despite all their pressure Cardiff were still unable to find a way past Davis, who continued to frustrate and tipped Thompson's 20-yard shot around the post.
Silenced
Four minutes before the interval that pressure finally told when Thompson latched onto Kevin McNaughton's cross and fired a curling shot past Davis.
Cardiff looked to be heading into half-time with a deserved lead, but Southampton silenced the Ninian Park crowd when McGoldrick nodded home an unlikely equaliser after good work from Andrew Surman on the left.
The home side began the second half well and Joe Ledley sent a shot from the edge of the box narrowly over the bar.
With 57 minutes gone Johnson rose highest to meet Peter Whittingham's corner but Davis came to Southampton's rescue once again with a superb reaction save.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones brought on new-signing Jay Bothroyd as his side pushed for a second and Johnson fired over the bar.
With time running out Cardiff poured forward in search of a winner but Southampton were restricting them to long-range efforts.
However just as it looked like the Saints were heading for a point, McPhail's free-kick found Johnson unmarked and he powered a header past Davis.
