Brian Barry-Murphy relieved to clinch Cardiff promotion back to the Championship

Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy admitted his overwhelming emotion was one of “huge relief” as his side secured promotion back to the Championship with a 3-1 victory at Reading.

City moved into a 2-0 lead through goals from Rubin Colwill and Omari Kellyman either side of half-time in the League One clash.

Reading reduced the deficit with an effort from Daniel Kyerewaa but defender Perry Ng scored from 20 yards four minutes from time.

With automatic promotion rivals Stockport held to a late 3-3 draw at Exeter – courtesy of a stoppage-time equaliser from the relegation-battling Grecians’ goalkeeper – the Bluebirds made it back to the second tier at the first attempt.

“Obviously it’s a huge relief,” Barry-Murphy said. “It’s been an incredible day to see all our supporters here, there were extraordinary scenes towards the end of the game.

“We tried to stay focused on the game but it was difficult. It was probably only the last four of five minutes that we could really enjoy.

“Our performance was everything that I wanted. We attacked really well.

“I was slightly worried with all the good players that Reading had on the pitch but their goal came from nothing really.

“You then have to get back on your game quickly and, thankfully, Perry (Ng) came up with a brilliant goal.

“When he scored, it was a big relief.

“No, we haven’t planned any celebrations. I think that was the best way to do it.”

Cardiff play at home to League One strugglers Port Vale on Wednesday.

“The supporters deserve to have a night when they can celebrate with their team,” Barry-Murphy said.

“I hope that we play well then. I’m sure that the players will give it everything.

“I think that it’s important that you celebrate this. I don’t think that we have many players who have experienced something like this.

“And I suppose it leads you on to dream about what you might be able to achieve next season.”

Reading’s play-off hopes had disappeared amid a dismal run of just two wins in nine outings.

And Royals boss Leam Richardson said: “As a game for the neutral, I thought that it was a very good game.

“I thought that our performance level was night and day compared to last week at Doncaster (1-0 defeat).

“Over the five months that we’ve been here, I think that 70 or 80 per cent of the time that’s been us.

“We have dropped below that, like last week, and dropped short a couple of times.

“But, today, that was more of us. We had a couple of big penalty shouts and missed a couple of chances early on that could have gone our way.

“Congratulations to Brian and his team for getting promoted. We’ll digest and reflect on that and move on.”