Norwich boosted their Championship survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over high-flying Cardiff.
Mooney and McDonald on target in 2-0 win
Norwich boosted their Championship survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over high-flying Cardiff.
David Mooney, making his first start for the Canaries after joining on loan from Reading last week, broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half.
Cody McDonald then added a second in the 90th minute to secure all three points for Norwich and dent Cardiff's bid for promotion.
Norwich, who were without a win in their last four home fixtures, were on top in the opening stages, with on-loan Rangers winger Alan Gow firing straight at Dimi Konstantopoulos before Rae blocked Darel Russell's long-range effort.
Sammy Clingan had a good opportunity for Norwich but shot over from the right side of the penalty area after a cross from Wes Hoolahan.
Eddie Johnson, who was recalled to the starting line-up upfront alongside Michael Chopra, shot wide from the edge of the box before Gow dragged an effort off target at the other end.
Mooney, who made his debut as a substitute in last Saturday's 2-0 loss at Blackpool, drilled a right-foot shot from 12 yards wide before Cardiff lost Darcy Blake to injury after 32 minutes.
Ryan Bertrand's speculative long-range strike was off target and Gavin Rae's equally ambitious effort at the other end went wide.
Former Rangers midfielder Rae then saw his volley from six yards saved by ex-Celtic stopper David Marshall and Eddie Johnson hit the rebound over as the first period ended goalless.
Finished with aplomb
Less than 60 seconds after the resumption, Hoolahan headed Lee Croft's cross wide from six yards as Norwich again failed to find the target.
But Mooney then latched on to Hoolahan's hopeful long ball and finished with aplomb from 12 yards for the opener.
Marshall was soon called into action at the other end, repelling Eddie Johnson's header as Cardiff went close to an equaliser.
Norwich continued to press forward in search of a second, with Bertrand curling a shot wide from 25 yards and Mooney causing the Bluebirds' backline numerous problems before he was withdrawn from the fray after 75 minutes.
Croft limped off to be replaced by David Carney, while defender Tony Capaldi was sacrificed for striker Ross McCormack after 87 minutes as Cardiff sought a leveller.
But Norwich sealed the contest when Gow found McDonald who found the back of the net from 12 yards 30 seconds into stoppage time.
Marshall denied Roger Johnson's header from McCormack's free-kick as Norwich sealed a 10th win of the campaign.
