Neil Warnock: Cardiff City manager plays down promotion push

Aron Gunnarsson (centre) celebrates giving Cardiff City the lead against Nottingham Forest

Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has warned against rising expectations, insisting his Bluebirds side are a long way from the finished article.

Warnock's men climbed out of the Championship bottom three with a 2-1 win away at Nottingham Forest.

The result made it seven points from Warnock's three games in charge, but he talked down a promotion push.

"I was asked about promotion, but I said 'let's get out the bottom three first'," Warnock said.

"We do get carried away. We are nowhere near the finished article, but we've got a genuine bunch of players and the fans are getting behind us.

"We have worked hard for the results. To get seven points from three games is a tribute to the whole staff really. We've worked hard and the lads have taken it on board, it's not a fluke."

Goals from Aron Gunnarsson and Joe Ralls put the visitors in charge against 10-man Forest, who had Thomas Lam sent off, but there was late drama when Gunnarsson was judged to have fouled Henri Lansbury who converted from the spot.

"The referee [Andy Woolmer] is a good one, but I think it was a soft penalty. I think he just got a bit bored and wanted to make it a bit more exciting for the last few minutes," Warnock continued.

"It was the first time I'd seen them away from home and I asked for a performance. I'm so disappointed not to have a clean sheet."

Junior Hoilett was taken off with an injury which is not thought to be serious, but striker Ricky Lambert came off in the first half after receiving a bad cut to his shin.

Warnock said he feared Lambert might be out for a while, but was awaiting further tests on the 34-year-old former England international.

"It looked horrific. I didn't want the lads to look at it at half-time," the Bluebirds boss said.