Fulham 2-1 Cardiff City

Emerson Hyndman scored a stoppage-time winner on his 20th birthday as Fulham came back to inflict a significant blow to Cardiff City's play-off hopes.

Lex Immers' header gave Cardiff the lead but Scott Parker's first goal of the season brought the Cottagers level.

Hyndman scored from close range to secure victory for Fulham, who move 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Cardiff are five points adrift of the Championship play-off places with five games remaining.

Russell Slade's side failed to capitalise on play-off rivals Sheffield Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Bristol City.

Lex Immers' fifth goal of the season had given Cardiff the lead

Both sides had chances during an open first half, with Aron Gunnarsson's header saved by Marcus Bettinelli and Bruno Ecuele Manga heading over from Peter Whittingham's corner.

At the other end David Marshall parried fellow Scottish international and former Cardiff striker Ross McCormack's free-kick.

Cardiff went ahead when Scott Malone combined down the left with Gunnarsson, whose cross was met by Immers to head home his fifth goal of the season.

Fulham levelled in the opening minute of the second half when Cardiff's defence were caught cold as Moussa Dembele set up former England midfielder Parker, who fired home from a tight angle.

Gunnarsson and Sean Morrison squandered chances for Cardiff, who were less effective in the second half.

Dembele was denied by Marshall and McCormack's shot was deflected onto the bar as the home side chased a later winner.

They were rewarded in stoppage time when United States international Hyndman struck from close range following a scramble at a corner.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic:

"We didn't play a good football game in the first 45 minutes. That could be my mistake. Maybe my message was a bit confused. The second half was a game we want to play.

"Today is Emerson Hyndman's birthday. It's a great present for himself and for all of us in the last moment of the game. He's probably one of the more talented players.

"I am little bit disappointed with myself that I haven't found more minutes for him this season. He probably needs to be a little bit stronger for the Championship. But he will be a very good footballer for us.

"We've had one perfect week where we've won three games but in front of us is five games more. Mathematically, we are 10 points ahead. It's 15 points needed, so we need five points more to be 100 per cent sure."

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade:

"We will keep going to the end. It's a setback and we would have taken a precious point. We've given ourselves a mountain to climb but there's still time to go.

"A draw would have been a fair result. We took a few risks to get the three points and when you do that you leave yourself open a little bit. But they've scored as a result of a corner that we've not defended well enough.

"It's very frustrating that we've not been able to bridge that gap. We've had some real high level performances recently but where we want to be is certainly not impossible.

"We'll keep going. We've got a home game next week and all we can control is what's in front of us."