Reading 1 – 3 Cardiff

Cardiff secured promotion to the Championship with a 3-1 win over Reading.

Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft’s unusual 96th-minute equalizer against Stockport meant all of Cardiff’s promotion rivals failed to win, sealing the Welsh side’s immediate return to the second division following last season’s relegation.

“It means the world,” head coach Brian Barry-Murphy told Sky Sports News.

“I was lucky to work with a group of players with incredible ambition. At times they played some God-given football, so I’m really grateful.”

“With what the players have done and how well they have played, we tend to forget where we came from.

“This is a very special club. I believed these players could achieve it. And I think the best thing is that we have only seen the beginning.”

Captain Rubin Colwill gave City a 1-0 lead with a header from the back post in the 40th minute of the first half, and Omari Kellyman doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half.

Daniel Kyerewa reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute, but defender Perry Ng sealed the victory four minutes before the end.

And after last season’s relegation to League One, the best moment was yet to come, with Exeter’s dramatic equalizer clinching promotion for the first time.

The Royals got off to a strong start, with Reading defender Jeriel Dorsett scooping the ball in from close range and winger Kyerewa narrowly wide.

However, Colwill broke the deadlock by sending a well-placed header past home goalkeeper Joel Pereira from Ryan Wintle’s cross.

The Bluebirds added a second goal when the Kerryman beat the offside trap and calmly scored his ninth goal of the season.

After Cardiff keeper Nathan Trott could only parry Lewis Wing’s powerful free-kick, Kierewa followed up with a goal and the hosts closed the gap.

But Ng’s stunning angled shot from 20 yards put the matter to rest as Cardiff’s 2,935 fans celebrated wildly.