Sunday 26 October 2014 10:15, UK
Ian Holloway hailed his two match-winners after Danny Shittu and David Forde helped Millwall sink Cardiff 1-0.
Nigerian defender Shittu marked his first league start since suffering an Achilles injury since March when he powered home a second-half header to end the Lions' eight-game winless run.
But Millwall were also indebted to a stunning double save from former Bluebirds goalkeeper David Forde in the first half to deny Craig Noone and then, from close range, Adam Le Fondre.
And Lions boss Holloway said: "We actually got something we deserved. The double save from my goalie changed the course of the game. Lately they've been going in.
"I don't want Danny having to score the winner, that's what my forwards should be doing so I need to have a word with them.
"But it was nice for him to go up and whack one in with his head. He's very special and I'm delighted he's on the mend. If anyone sums up this place then it's that fella."
Neither Forde nor opposite number David Marshall had been called into action for the majority of the half due to some wayward finishing from both sides.
But 10 minutes before the interval a slip in the Millwall defence saw the ball break to Noone on the left-hand side of the area.
The winger drove in a volley which Forde got down well to block, but only as far as Le Fondre who had what appeared a simple task to tap the ball into an empty net from all of six yards out.
However, Forde managed to spring back up and spread himself to deny the striker with his legs in spectacular fashion.
That save proved all the more vital nine minutes into the second half when Shittu, named captain on his return to the starting line-up, made the breakthrough.
Shaun Williams whipped in a corner from the right and Shittu rose above Bruno Manga and Federico Macheda at the far post to thump a downward header through a crowd of players and into the net.
Shittu was also in the thick of the action at the other end, when the ball appeared to hit his hand in the area from Ravel Morrison's cross with Anthony Pilkington waiting to pounce, but no penalty was given.
"We created the two best opportunities," said Russell Slade, whose winning start as Cardiff manager came grinding to a halt.
"If Danny hadn't got his hand to that ball Pilkington would have put it in.
"We also had the double save from their keeper, although you have to give him credit for that.
"But I've learned a lot about my players today and we will keep improving. We are making forward steps now."
