Cardiff City put their derby-day disappointment behind them on their first attempt. coming from behind to see off Championship strugglers Reading on the road.
Manager Steve Morison said in the aftermath that he felt drained following the game, testament to him kicking every ball in the dramatic late win. After a tough week in management, Morison will have been proud of the players' reaction. Here are some of the things you may have missed in Berkshire.
Morison and Vaulks meet the fans
It was nice to see that, before the games, two Cardiff delegates made their way off the turf and into the stands to meet some of the supporters. Will Vaulks and Morison both went into the away end to welcome the Cardiff City Disabled Supporters Association, who had made the trip to Berkshire to cheer on their beloved Bluebirds. It comes after Morison and Vaulks held a Q&A with the CCDSA at Cardiff City Stadium in midweek.
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Both posed for photos with the fans trickling in in a gesture which prompted praise from those early enough to witness it in the press box and the surrounding areas. A nice touch.
Nelson with the armband
When Joe Ralls went off with almost half an hour left to play, it was interesting to see who would be chosen to take the armband.
When Neil Warnock signed Curtis Nelson he said that he thought he would captain the club one day, such was his personality and the fact he did it at his previous club, Oxford United.
Well, given how well he performed against the Royals, it was only right that he was given the nod to skipper the final third of the game for the Bluebirds. To this reporter's memory, it's the only time he has been given the captaincy, albeit temporarily.
With Sean Morrison, Aden Flint and Ralls all currently heading out the door in June, will Nelson be a contender to skipper permanently next term? Food for thought, at least.
Youngsters huddle together
Nothing exemplifies the nature of this youthful squad more than when the natural grouping of players began formulating before the match. Visiting players generally stroll out of the tunnel and take in the surroundings in dribs and drabs, but there was a real cohesion among the youngsters at Reading.
Like they were embarking on their first day of secondary school, Oliver Denham, Rohan Luthra, Joel Bagan, Isaak Davies and Rubin Colwill, all of whom will have spent some time together in the club's youth ranks, strode on to the pitch in a tight cluster like inseparable best mates in a playground.
They will hopefully be sticking together for a lot longer, too, given they form the core of what is hopefully a young and vibrant team moving forward for the next number of years.
Fans given stars' playing shirts
It's always easier after a victory, of course, but the fans deserved the attention they got from the players after the final whistle.
They all made a beeline for the travelling supporters when the referee called time on proceedings and were greeted with cheers and pleas for their playing shirts.
Bluebirds trio Tommy Doyle, Colwill and Davies all gave their playing shirts to youngsters in the front row - a little token of their appreciation and it was very well received. The fans were terrific, though, it must be said.
Furious Ince
It's safe to say that referee Michael Salisbury won't be on Paul Ince's Christmas card list this year. The Reading boss was furious with the official and let his feelings be known in his post-match press briefing.
Defeat to the Bluebirds has left the Royals in 21st position - eight points above the dropzone, with Barnsley in 22nd having played one game fewer. "That’s where you need your leaders to get you up the park but the whole thing hinged on a diabolical decision by the referee," he said in relation to the winning goal.
"It was pathetic. Lucas is clearly being dragged down and the boy looks like he’s offside for the second phase. All you ask is that referees do their jobs properly, especially now when you’re trying to stay in the league. You want to rely on referees to make the right decision and it was blatant. The linesman didn’t flag. As much as I’m frustrated with the second half, I’m very disappointed with the referee. A diabolical decision.
"He didn’t make the right decision and that changes the dynamic of the whole game. We might’ve come in here with a point instead of no points. It’s all right for him to go back and stick his feet up watching Match of the Day and won’t think about it again but we’ve got to go and think about it.
"This is the business part of the season where referees have to get it right. It’s not just Reading, (Wayne) Rooney could be saying the same thing and so could Barnsley, but we’re the ones who get punished."
