Striker Andy Booth gave Huddersfield's hopes of avoiding relegation a massive and unexpected boost with a late winner over promotion hopefuls Cardiff.

Mick Wadsworth's side snatched the points after 80 minutes when Booth got away from his marker to head home Kenny Irons' free-kick.

It was a much-needed boost for under-fire Wadsworth, who was sacked in midweek before the club decided they could not afford to pay him off and was reinstated.

Cardiff's Peter Thorne had wasted a decent opportunity moments earlier when he flicked a header over the crossbar from close range.

The club's record signing had another good chance but could not force a header past goalkeeper Scott Bevan.

Huddersfield: Bevan, Brown, Moses, Youds, Sharp, Mattis, Irons, Holland, Smith, Booth, Stead. Subs: Senior, Heary, Thorrington, Baldry, Worthington.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Prior, Young, Barker, Legg, Zhiyi, Bonner, Fortune-West, Earnshaw, Thorne. Subs: Bowen, Mahon, Campbell, Croft, Margetson.

Referee: G Cain (Merseyside)