Exeter goalkeeper Jack Bycroft’s stoppage-time leveller against Stockport meant all of Cardiff’s promotion rivals failed to win, enabling the Welsh side to clinch a return to the second tier.

Skipper Rubin Colwill gave City a 1-0 half-time lead, courtesy of a back-post header in the 40th minute, and Omari Kellyman doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half.

Daniel Kyerewaa cut the deficit in the 73rd minute but defender Perry Ng sealed the win four minutes from the end.

Reading defender Jeriel Dorsett scooped over from close range and winger Kyerewaa drove narrowly wide as the Royals started well.

But Colwill broke the deadlock by sending a well-directed header past home goalkeeper Joel Pereira, from Ryan Wintle’s cross

The Bluebirds added a second when Kellyman broke the offside trap and calmly slotted home his ninth goal of the campaign.

The hosts reduced the deficit when Kyerewaa netted on the follow-up after Cardiff keeper Nathan Trott could only parry Lewis Wing’s powerful free-kick.

But Ng’s superb angled effort from 20 yards settled the issue as Cardiff’s 2,935 fans celebrated wildly.