Wild scenes as promoted Cardiff savour Reading revelry

Revelry in Reading tends to be associated with the annual music festival which attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the city.

During the past few weeks, it's also been the place to be for football celebrations.

First it was Lincoln City. On Easter Monday, the Imps won at Reading to earn promotion to the second tier of English football for the first time in 65 years, a blissful day in the sun for their euphoric fans.

On Saturday, it was Cardiff City's turn. Another sold-out travelling contingent in Berkshire savouring League One promotion.

And this time, it was done in the most dramatic fashion.

As Cardiff led 3-1 in added time, there seemed to be an acceptance that their return to the Championship was all but confirmed; a formality not yet mathematically official because Stockport County were winning at Exeter City.

But in the sixth minute of added time in Devon, the relegation-threatened Grecians sent goalkeeper Jack Byford up for a corner and his crashing header at the near post snatched a 3-3 draw for the home side – and sparked even wilder celebrations among Cardiff's fans at Reading.

"It was one of those things you couldn't predict," said Bluebirds head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.

"It's the beautiful nature of football and it's a fitting end to what has been a magnificent season for us all.

"It's been an incredible day to see our supporters and those extraordinary scenes towards the end of the game."

Promotion may not have been as historic an achievement as it was for Lincoln. After all, Cardiff were in the Premier League only seven years ago and had not been as low down as the third tier for more than two decades.

But there can't have been many promotions confirmed in circumstances more thrilling than these.

And once the bedlam subsides, Cardiff will reflect on a moment – and season – to cherish.

Having flirted with relegation for years, the Bluebirds finally tumbled out of the Championship 12 months ago, a dismal campaign set to a backdrop of discord and disillusionment off the field.

By contrast, this season has been a tonic to the misery that came before.

The overhaul under head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has led to an entertaining style of football seldom seen at Cardiff City Stadium or its precursor, Ninian Park.

The Irishman has also built his team around a core of young Welsh players and, most importantly, he has got them winning.

Some supporters who have followed the club for half a century have described this season as the most enjoyable of their lives.

The younger ones who grew up watching Cardiff in the Championship and Premier League, meanwhile, have embraced the novelty of new away days such as Port Vale and Stevenage.

However, the key word there is novelty. Cardiff could not afford to let their stay in League One extend beyond one season – figuratively and literally.