Substitute Dean Morgan picked the perfect moment to open his account for Reading as he struck a stoppage-time winner in a match which saw three referees take charge at Ninian Park.

Morgan, who signed from Colchester in November, headed home a great cross from fellow substitute Paul Brooker to get the Royals' play-off bid firmly back on track.

Cardiff substitute Lee Bullock looked to have capped a dream debut by grabbing an equaliser 18 minutes from time.

The midfielder, on loan at Ninian Park until the end of the season from Third Division York, swept home a cross from Wales international Rob Earnshaw, but Morgan spoiled the party.

A tepid game exploded into life as the first half drew to a close with three goals in the space of six minutes.

Iceland international Ivar Ingimarsson drew first blood, scoring his first goal for the Royals by heading home John Salako's delayed 39th-minute corner after official Mark Warren limped off with a hamstring strain.

But three minutes later the Bluebirds were level thanks to Earnshaw's 25th goal of the season.

Richard Langley, in the side for hamstring victim Paul Parry, had a shot cleared off the line by Royals defender Steve Brown.

But Langley turned the ball back into the area and Earnshaw had the simple task of tapping in from close range three minutes before half-time.

The half looked as though it would end all-square but Scotland international Graeme Murty sent in a high cross three minutes into injury time and Dave Kitson headed home his first goal for the club.

City made a blistering start and should have been ahead after just three minutes as defender Chris Barker sent Alan Lee clear - only for his shot to flash inches wide of the upright.

Steve Coppell's men were struggling to get out of their own half but finally managed to carve out a chance in the 20th minute as experienced midfielder Salako dragged his effort wide.

Lee had a couple of half-chances in quick succession to equalise for City at the start of the second half but his first effort from 25 yards was saved by Jamie Ashdown, who kept out a header from the former Rotherham marksman seconds later.

Ashdown, recalled from his loan spell at Rushden & Diamonds, had to be on his toes just before the hour to keep out a shot from Gareth Whalley as the Welshmen turned the screw in search of a leveller.

That came courtesy of Bullock's goal, but the drama had not finished as the second referee, Steve Habgood, was forced off the field with a calf injury.

Bullock and Daniel Gabbidon fired wide as the game reached its climax, while at the other end Andy Hughes headed over the crossbar and the midfielder was denied by Martyn Margetson seconds later - but Morgan had the last word.

Teams

Cardiff Margetson, Croft, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Robinson, Boland (Bullock 45), Whalley, Langley, Lee, Earnshaw.

Subs Not Used: Prior, Campbell, Gordon, Alexander.

Booked: Lee.

Goals: Earnshaw 42, Bullock 72.

Reading Ashdown, Murty, Brown, Ingimarsson, Newman, Salako (Brooker 82), Sidwell, Harper, Hughes, Goater (Morgan 67), Kitson.

Subs Not Used: Murray, Savage, Young.

Booked: Brown.

Goals: Ingimarsson 39, Kitson 45, Morgan 90.

Att: 14,051

Ref: M Warren (W Midlands).