'We don't want to be remembered for relegation' - Riza

Omer Riza's Cardiff are unbeaten in four games, but have only won one of their last seven

Omer Riza says his staff and players will be driven by a desire to ensure they are not remembered for taking Cardiff City down in the final push to avoid relegation to League One.

Cardiff remain in the Championship drop zone despite claiming a point at Preston North End on Tuesday thanks to Yakou Meite's stoppage-time goal.

The Bluebirds, in 22nd, are only behind Derby County on goal difference, while 20th-placed Stoke City – who Riza's side host this Saturday – and Hull City, in 19th, are two points better off.

While Riza was unhappy with Cardiff's first-half performance at Preston, he insisted his players' stomach for the fight was clear as they twice equalised in the second period to claim what may yet prove to be a crucial draw.

"We are working our hardest to make sure we survive," said the Cardiff boss.

"It's very important to this club, very important to the fans and very important to us as staff. You have got to remember, we don't want to be remembered here for getting relegated.

"I firmly believe that if we keep fighting together as a group, with our fans as well, we'll achieve that."

Riza revealed the mood in the away dressing room at Deepdale was "a bit sombre" despite Meite's 94th-minute goal, while admitting that Preston "could have scored a couple more".

Yakou Meite's goal was just his third of the season

"But a point's a point," he added.

"We have to be positive. We have to keep believing like we are and we have to keep fighting, which we'll continue to do right to the end.

"We are unbeaten in four which I suppose we'll take forwards confidence-wise for Saturday."

Cardiff were booed off at half-time at Preston having only come into the game in the final minutes of the opening period.

They levelled soon after the break through substitute Will Alves and were the better side for a spell, only for Stefan Thordarson to restore Preston's advantage as the hosts reasserted themselves before the game's dramatic conclusion.

When asked about the travelling supporters' frustration, Riza said: "We can't control how the fans feel. I think the only thing that will make the fans happy at the minute is picking up three points and obviously the first-half performance wasn't good enough.

"But at the minute, we are not quite sure what we're going to start with and what we're going to end with in respect of performance. That's the nature of where we are.

"But no-one can knock the players' work ethic, their endeavour and their fight to try to get back in the game.

"We have taken a point. I know it's not good enough but we are fighting and we'll keep fighting."