Chronological Report

The Bluebirds looked to attack Peterborough from the off, but it was the visitors who had the first half chance in front of goal when George Boyd half-volleyed an effort in to the ground after two minutes. David Marshall though gathered comfortably.

City soon made their way forward to test Posh 'keeper Joe Lewis. Neat interplay between Michael Chopra and captain Stephen McPhail allowed Jay Bothroyd to cut in from the right hand side of the area and curl a shot that beat Lewis but struck the post. In the immediate melee that followed, Chopra had a moment's space inside the area but this time struck straight at the relieved Lewis.

Cardiff looked very comfortable in possession inside the opening fifteen minutes, McPhail - in only his second game back after recovering from illness - having a noticeable impact. But the visitors, despite an apparent lack of confidence, did look to press the Bluebirds through the centre of the park and Boyd in particular looked the most likely outlet in the early stages.

Peter Whittingham curled a superb effort at goal from thirty yards out after Bothroyd had been brought down by a cluster of defenders. Lewis was equal to it to tip it over for a corner, but City began counting up their opportunities as the twenty minute mark got closer.

Substitution, Cardiff City: Wildig on for Blake (22 mins).

City broke the deadlock just before the hour mark with a superbly worked goal. Substitute Wildig picked the ball up in the middle of the field before spreading out to Whittingham on the left. Whittingham then bent a superb ball long and deep to the far post, where Bothroyd headed back across to an unmarked Chris Burke who coolly volleyed home.

GOAL: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED (29 mins).

Cardiff didn't immediately look to further their lead, instead opting to calm the game down, play the ball neatly to feet and stretch an already ragged looking Posh. When they did break with menace on thirty-five minutes it was Whittingham who again crossed to the centre of area, this time finding Burke whose good headed effort went just over the bar.

A sublime Bothroyd chip into the area moments before half-time allowed Whittingham to steal a march on Craig Morgan but steer his shot just wide of the post. Bothroyd's pass deserved a goal and City probably deserved a greater lead than what they had going into the interval.

HALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Substitution Peterborough United, Gilbert on for Mackail-Smith (45 mins).

Peterborough changed formation at half-time, former Bluebird Kerrea Gilbert coming on to replace Craig-Mackail Smith as Jim Gannon swapped his 5-3-2 shape for a traditional 4-4-2. Peterborough looked a little more comfortable playing with these tactics and dominated the opening five minutes of the half with some spirited attacking play.

A terrible back-pass my Mark Kennedy on fifty-seven minutes almost allowed Boyd to sneak in to equalise; fortunately Marshall was quick to read the full-back's error and smother Boyd's shot low soon after it left the striker's boot. It was a reminder that City were far away from securing the points in this one and the atmosphere around Cardiff City Stadium began to get nervy.

Slack defending by Ryan Bennett gave Bothroyd a chance to double Cardiff's lead during a period of play in which very little happened of significance at either end. Bothroyd had to lift the ball over the onrushing Lewis, but opted for power and struck harmlessly over. From the next attack both Whittingham and Burke spurned chances from close range inside the area, but as the game progressed, the visitors looked less likely to trouble Marshall's goal.

Substitution Cardiff City, Taiwo on for McPhail (77 mins).

Stephen McPhail was forced to depart with just under quarter of an hour to play after going in bravely for the ball and taking what looked like a knee to the sternum. Solomon Taiwo replaced him as McPhail left the field to a standing ovation.

Directly from the restart after McPhail's departure, City doubled their lead. Peter Whittingham whipped in another superbly accurate ball and when the Peterborough defenders couldn't clear, Anthony Gerrard stabbed the ball home from close range.

GOAL: CARDIFF CITY 2-0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED (Gerrard, 78 mins).

Substitution Peterborough United, Simpson on for Williams (81 mins).

Chopra saw a deflected effort strike the post with five minutes remaining as the visitors' defence started to tire. City continued to press as the game played out but in fairness, Peterborough were doing little to either threaten themselves or deter Cardiff's advances. This wasn't a pretty affair, but the Bluebirds more than deserved the victory.

Substitution Cardiff City, Feeney on for Bothroyd (90 mins).

FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 2-0 PETERBOROUGH UNITED