Barnsley 0-1 Cardiff City

Scotland's Callum Paterson (L) joined Cardiff City from Hearts before the start of the 2017-18 season

Cardiff City returned to the Championship's automatic promotion places as Callum Paterson's late goal gave them victory at Barnsley.

The hosts had the better of a goalless first half with chances for Mamadou Thiam and Adam Hammill.

But Cardiff improved after the interval and Paterson bundled in from a corner to score his first goal for the club.

Sheffield United's home loss to Fulham means Cardiff are now second in the table, one point behind leaders Wolves.

For Barnsley, meanwhile, the end of their four-match unbeaten run sees them drop to 17th place.

They started strongly against Cardiff but, despite creating a handful of chances, the hosts could not find a way past a Bluebirds defence which has conceded fewer goals than any other team in the division.

The visitors were more of a threat in the second half as Craig Bryson's half-volley went wide and Junior Hoilett had an effort saved.

Then with seven minutes left, as Barnsley failed to clear a Cardiff corner, Paterson lunged in from close range and his blocked challenge forced the ball into the roof of the net.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Wales:

"I can't praise them enough, the energy. We had a few words at half-time and I thought we were a lot better in the second half.

"I explained to them that on a Tuesday night in Yorkshire, in these conditions, it's all about grit and making more of a game of it, wanting to win it.

"I'm delighted for Callum [Paterson]. He's worked hard over the last 10 months to get back to fitness. I was going to pull him off four times but he kept going so I'm glad I didn't."