Is it time to consider giving Dave Jones and His Merry Men ultimatums more often? They have certainly responded and deserved their luck to grab a last gasp equaliser at Hull City to stretch the unbeaten run to 3 games and 5 points. Not exactly spectacular but steady and much better in many respects.
For this encounter, Glenn Loovens was injured so Roger Johnson was back for the day despite not being 100% himself having injured himself training yesterday. In attack, Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink was a sub - injury being the official line but he has been shockingly poor recently - so City paired Thommo and MacLean. Not the most exciting partnership but given the performances of Fowler and JFH, probably the best we have right now.
The first half was a one sided City dominant display where The Bluebirds should have been a goal or two clear yet they were 2-1 behind and Hull missed a penalty too! City were behind in 3 minutes, defensive shabbiness returning allowing McFee and easy goal, but were level on 6 minutes as Thommo turned home after being set up by Rae's strong run.
City then bossed it with Thommo, Rae, Parry causing problems in the middle and Parry and Ledley giving life out wide. Ledley hit a post, chances were missed, Myhill made a couple of cracking saves then more defensive horrors which culimanted in Darren Purse conceding a soft penalty on 38 yet Schmeicel brilliantly psyched out then saved the veteran Dean Windass' strike. However he was hero turned villain as just before half-time, a weak Schmeicel punch saw Garcia fire home and there was still time for City to fluff 2 mre chances to equalise before the interval.
The second half, predictaably, never had the same fireworks and was more even but Cardiff hung in there, Myhill made a couple more incredible stops and City gambled with subs at the end. Just as it looked all over, in the third and final minute of added time, one last City attack was cleared, the ball came to Roger Johnson on his wrong left foot but he incredibly chipped home from 25 yards. Great game by the sound of it but one with an outstanding finish for City.
Other results meant Cardiff dropped back to 20th but they now have a 4 point cushion over the bottom three and are only one win away from mid-table positions. At least, at this time, the suspicion is more likely that they can climb the table rather than fall further back but it remains tough going.
On-line reports
BBC > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7110782.stm
IC Wales > http://tinyurl.com/2kkgcf
Sporting Life > http://tinyurl.com/3ytesa
Sportbox > http://www.sportbox.tv/football/news/story.php?id=1047764
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