Kenwyne Jones has marked his return to the Cardiff City side with the opener as the Bluebirds lead Reading 1-0 at half time in their Championship encounter.

The first shot for either side came from Cardiff's Craig Noone in the 11th minute, but the winger could only fire straight at Ali Al-Habsi.

David Marshall had little to do for the opening 20 minutes, but the Scottish goalkeeper dashed off his line to poach the ball off the toes of Nick Blackman after the Reading forward had escaped the home defence.

Noone got another sight of goal after half an hour, but Al-Habsi was again equal to his low shot.

Oliver Norwood then sent a rasping strike towards goal which Marshall could only parry back into the centre of the box, but no Reading players could capitalise.

However, Cardiff went ahead shortly before the interval when Jones prodded home a free kick to end a run of 10 hours without a goal from a Bluebirds player.

Marshall was on hand to keep Cardiff's lead intact in first-half injury time as he flung himself in front of Orlando Sa's goalbound attempt from just three yards.