Snap-shot: Ten man Cardiff had to be content with taking a point from the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, as the first league derby for over nine years was held to a 2-2 draw.

The first half had been frustrating in the early exchanges as Swansea bossed midfield and produced far more attacking football - a fact that was rewarded after eighteen minutes as Pratley broke in too easily to despatch the ball home.

With the official also frustrating Cardiff it seemed improbable that a goal could come our way. But with seconds on the clock Joe Ledley proved otherwise with a penalty area rocket leaving de Vries no chance.

The second half opened with another goal as Michael Chopra was cut down in the area in the opening minute by Bessone, allowing McCormack to add to his tally for the campaign from the spot. The half however was ruined as a contest as skipper McPhail was sent off for being called to have kicked the ball away.

Swansea used their advantage and two subs to good measure, getting the equaliser through Pintado moments after coming on.

Team News: Kevin McNaughton was passed fit to make a start after missing out on the midweek Reading encounter - Naughts coming in at the expense of Miguel Comminges. Joe 'Fingers' Ledley was also given the green light to start with his fracture under wraps. With Joe making the start in the centre of midfield, dropping out of the regular midfield pairing was Gavin Rae who joined the substitutes.

Cardiff: Enckelman, McNaughton, R. Johnson, Gyepes, Kennedy, Routledge, Ledley, McPhail, McCormack, Bothroyd, Chopra. Subs: Heaton, Parry, Rae, Comminges, Scimeca.

Swansea: de Vries, Williams, Britton, Pratley, Scotland, Gower, Monk, Tudur Jones, Bessone, Rangel, Butler. Subs: Tate, Pintando, MacDonald, Buaza, Konstanopoulos.

Chronological Report: Cardiff started the match with the sun in their eyes for the first half. Present among the City supporters was skipper Darren Purse, as DAVE Jones opted for more attacking options on the bench. Swansea started brightly, playing the ball through the middle well via Britton and Gower - our hosts looking for an early advantage through a corner that Roger Johnson eventually cleared following a minor scare.

Despite the fast opening, we still had to wait until the eighth minute for a certified 'shot', which came through a spooned effort from Tudur Jones after some good passing build up play. The ball flew high over the bar from just outside the box and was never a concern for Enckelman, despite the sun being in his eyes.

Cardiff were next to confuse the goal for rugby posts, eleven minutes in seeing a route one ball find McCormack, who in turn lobbed a great ball into the box for Chopra. Chopra managed to connect on the half volley just in front of de Vries, but sent the ball high over regardless.

The term referee assistant was then firmly tested and failed after fourteen minutes when Roger Johnson was shown the first yellow of the match. Gower had tripped over Johnson's leg as he aimed to break past the defender on the half way line. Johnson had little chance to get out of the way, but still was booked with the linesman refusing to help the cause.

Swansea took the lead after eighteen minutes in a well worked move that saw Cardiff fall apart. Darren Pratley was the recipient of the ball through a cut-back from Scotland, side-footing the ball from the centre of the area past a diving Enckelman. We'll leave the goal celebrations to the FAW.

GOAL: SWANSEA 1 - 0 CARDIFF. Pratley. 18 mins

Unfortunate but true, Cardiff were simply being outplayed and outclassed by Swansea who were dominant in the middle of the park, while Cardiff lacked any sign of a final ball. And with no sour grapes needed, the referee seemed unable to see the match evenly as a number of calls dumbfounded both the City bench and press box.

Bessone was first as a rugby tackle on Routledge was amazingly waved away. The referee two minutes later then booked the Swansea player for a nothing challenge - no doubt the official report reading continued fouls than making up for the mistake.

In a combative but clean match, two bookings followed before the half hour as both McPhail and Pratley were shown yellow for solid challenges.

The battle certainly intensified as we reached the end of the half, showing more of a derby atmosphere both on and off the pitch. With four minutes left Joe missed a great chance as a Routledge crossed in, de Vries parried the ball out to Joe, who rushed his chance to blaze the ball over.

Cardiff rallied as the clock ticked on, winning a dangerous free-kick with three minutes remaining that again lacked the edge to test the home keeper.

The breakthrough did come however, as with one minute on the clock Chopra sent in a corner from the right, resulting in the ball being cleared through the mix to a waiting Ledley. This time there was no mistake, as Joe fired a rocket through the bodies and beat de Vries.

GOAL: SWANSEA 1 - 1 CARDIFF. Ledley. 44 mins

Two minutes were added, which saw Swansea push for late glory, but couldn't find a way in after winning two late corners.

HALF TIME: SWANSEA 1 - 1 CARDIFF

If Carling did second half openings it would have been this. With many still finding their seats, City stole the ball and surged into the Swansea penalty box, resulting in Michael Chopra being cut down by Bessone. Up stepped McCormack for the spot kick, deftly finishing by sending the keeper the wrong way.

GOAL: SWANSEA 1 - 2 CARDIFF. McCormack (pen). 46 mins

We daren't get too smug however, as only four minutes later the talked about potential red card in the press box came Cardiff's way for far less than we had expected. Referee Atkinson amazingly dismissed Stephen McPhail, all but spoiling the encounter for sending off the skipper for kicking the ball away. Cheers.

Cardiff naturally had to adapt to losing a man. Making way up front was Michael Chopra for Gavin Rae, taking up his usual spot in the middle. Swansea then made changes before the hour, looking to shape the game their way. Off went Bessone and Butler for Pintado and MacDonald respectively. The chess match then returned to Dave Jones' turn as he brought on Paul Parry for Jay Bothroyd.

The changes worked immediately, but only from a Swansea perspective. Using their extra man to good effect, our hosts won a corner on the right, which when delivered by first sub MacDonald and headed home by second sub Pintado with power.

GOAL: SWANSEA 2 - 2 CARDIFF. Pintado. 60 mins

The advantage remained to work well for Swansea, utilising both Pintado and MacDonald on the right. It took a clearance from McCormack after Pintado squirmed the ball under Enckelman.

Another massive chance came or Swansea as their pressure continued. Jason Scotland however somehow fired the ball over the bar from close range in a crowded area.

The atmosphere had reached pressure cooker status in the last ten minutes as we looked to see who could handle the occasion and step up. Ten men Cardiff were naturally under far more pressure which Swansea looked to exploit with a number of attacking moves.

With fifteen minutes remaining McCormack missed a solid chance from close range after Gavin Rae impressed with his strength to feed the striker. The feisty affair was then confirmed further with bookings for Routledge and Britton for handbags.

The dying minutes saw Swansea pile forward and forcing some quality saves from Peter Enckelman as he denied Pintado with a first rate clearance. Positive new then came as Riccy Scimeca returned to action after another lengthy spell on the sidelines. Riccy came on for Joe Ledley in midfield.

The referee took the last headlines by sending off Leon Britton for a second yellow as he showed studs in a challenge on McNaughton.

Three minutes of time were added, with City holding on for the point, but naturally being disappointed with not being able to contest the majority of the second half with parity in terms of players on the parknot the best advert for respect in my book.

FULL TIME: SWANSEA 2 - 2 CARDIFF