Report: B.McAuliffe   Images: HUW EVANS AGENCY

Snap-shot: Cardiff City recorded the second league win of an unbeaten 2008/09 season, beating Barnsley by a single goal away at Oakwell in an encounter worthy of the adage, 'a game of two halves'.

The first half had been a football master-class from Cardiff, showing all of their style going forward to put Barnsley under severe pressure. The long travelled Bluebirds however could only go into the break a goal to the good despite numerous chances - Peter Whittingham the man of the moment, latching on to Paul Parry's cross to send the ball past Luke Steel to open the scoring.

While Cardiff were superior in their play in the first half, Barnsley certainly won the war of drive and effort in the second forty five - the Tykes throwing everything at their guests to turn earlier form on its head. Thankfully for Cardiff, at the back stood Darren Purse and Roger Johnson, continuing their impressive partnership into the new season.

Pressure and comeback goals averted, Cardiff took the three points to go into the weekend in sixth place. Work on maintaining the pressure will resume on Wednesday, but for the here and now we celebrate a second win of the season, with another clean sheet for the unbeaten league run.

Team News: Only one change was made from the Saturday eleven that had had been held by Bristol City to a goalless draw at Ninian Park. With Dave Jones having Ross McCormack back to full fitness, he replaced Jay Bothroyd up-front in partnership with Paul Parry.

CARDIFF: Heaton, McNaughton, Comminges, Purse, Johnson, Rae, Ledley, McCormack, Whittingham, Parry, McPhail. Subs: Enckelman, Gyepes, E. Johnson, Bothroyd, Morris

BARNSLEY: Steele, Foster, Souza, Moore, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Howard, Colace, Odejayi, Macken, Hume. Subs: Muller, Hassell, Mostto, El Haimour, Leon

Chronological Report

The opening ten minutes were effectively null and void in terms of work for the respective goalkeepers, although half chances came from both Barnsley and Cardiff. Main man Brian Howard was the first to chance his arm, taking a good touch and then firing a shot narrowly over the bar. Peter Whittingham then after six minutes came close for Cardiff with a well struck shot that fired narrowly wide.

The slippery conditions at Oakwell did their part in making the match fast paced, with some solid challenges coming in during the early encounters. The first booking however came for Campbell-Ryce after ten minutes as a referee decision on a free-kick was disputed to such a point for the yellow card to be raised.

The opening goal came to Cardiff City's benefit only four minutes later. Instrumental in the build-up was Paul Parry with an enterprising run down the left channel - Paul evading his markers, jinking clear and then firing a cross towards Peter Whittingham in the middle of the area. Whittingham then proceeded to show his Premier League credentials by coolly controlling the ball, placing it with style before firing the ball home from fifteen yards under pressure from the onrushing Tykes defence.

GOAL: BARNSLEY 0 - 1 CARDIFF. Whittingham. 14 mins

Barnsley looked to immediately counter from the restart, but summer signing Iain Hume couldn't pressure Tom Heaton as he dragged a shot wide. Cardiff were certainly in control as McPhail orchestrated midfield against his former employers. The midfield unit were causing the Barnsley back-line plenty of problems with the pace and tenacity of Ledley, Rae and Whittingham.

After twenty five minutes Whittingham almost made it a first half double as the Bluebirds worked the ball forward with style - unfortunately the former Villa man couldn't capitalise thanks to a block by Hugo Colace.

The football exhibition continued from the long travelled City players, with the forward motion entertaining the four hundred strong City supporters on a wet Tuesday night. Paul Parry was next to fire on goal, forcing Luke Steele into an impressive save after twenty seven minutes, ensuring the single goal and Barnsley hope remained.

Barnsley were mainly pinned back by Cardiff's attacking play, much to the home crowd's frustration despite only being the one goal behind. More came from the visitors, with defenders Purse and Johnson also looking to get in on the action when not marshalling the back line. Johnson was unlucky after thirty two minutes to see his header rebound off the crossbar from a Whittingham free-kick after Foster had cut down Joe Ledley, with 'City skipper Purse almost hitting the back of the net with the loose ball.

The half ended with bookings for continual niggles and complaints from Brian Howard as Barnsley's frustrations were evident. Cardiff ended the opening forty five on the front foot, though probably frustrated themselves at not increasing their advantage based on the run of play. A chorus of boos emanated from the home crowd at the referee's whistle signalling their displeasure with pretty much everything.

HALF TIME: BARNSLEY 0 - 1 CARDIFF

No personnel changes were made by either team for the second half restart. Little chances came in the opening five minutes, though Cardiff continued to look positive with their ability to spread play from midfield to pressurise Barnsley.

Barnsley however began to show more urgency and possession as the early stages of the half progressed, pushing towards the sixty minute mark with much more drive. Instrumental was Hugo Colace, though the Cardiff back-line was well marshalled to prevent parity being restored.

The match continued with the Oakwell fans having more to shout for as their team had looked to turn their improved form into an equaliser. Campbell-Ryce came the closest with a solid run forward, but was unable to test the City keeper.

With Cardiff lacking their forward impetus of the opening forty five, Dave Jones looked to shake things up with a change with sixty nine minutes played. Off came McCormack for Jay Bothroyd to return the squad to the same eleven that had started against Bristol City.

Barnsley still looked dangerous as the match had turned into an end to end affair, shaded by the home side in the second half. Gaining further plaudits were the efforts and strengths of Darren Purse in the centre of defence, continuing his renewed partnership with Roger Johnson to keep Cardiff in front.

Their efforts were then almost rewarded seventy six minutes into the game, with solid build-up play presenting skipper Howard a chance, but his shot was skewed just right of goal with Tome Heaton diving. Barnsley continued to pressurise Cardiff, but despite continued efforts - the next coming from a narrowly wide directed header from Odejayi - they couldn't turn pressure into parity.

Cardiff were all at sea, having being completely overrun in midfield and looking a shadow of their first half selves, mainly due to the credit of the tenacity shown by their hosts. A rare chance came six minutes from the end, when Joe Ledley made a run down the left, crossing for Bothroyd who missed the chance after beating his man.

To our surprise the fourth official's board indicating additional time showed an unlikely number four on it - the time coming from somewhere we'll probably never know. Late pressure came from our hosts, including a knock for Comminges which almost saw him have to leave the field.

The minutes continued to be added, but after ninety six minutes on our clock, full time was signalled to ensure a vital three points for Cardiff - the first away win on the road coming with the added bonus of yet another clean-sheet to bolster the confidence of the impressive City back-line.

Credit also had to be placed at the door of Barnsley, who had thrown absolutely everything at us, especially in the second half. Thankfully it wasn't enough, though it will no doubt give Dave Jones and his coaching team elements to consider for the weekend, what with the way Barnsley were permitted to become stronger as the minutes rolled on.

Next up comes another away day test at Pride Park on Saturday, with Cardiff looking to keep the unbeaten run in 2008/09 going with style.

FULL TIME: BARNSLEY 0 - 1 CARDIFF