By Steve Garland at Oakwell

Snapshot: A depleted Cardiff side succumbed to a last gasp Carl Dickinson free kick to ensure a 1-0 defeat against struggling Barnsley in a dire game at Oakwell.

Extended highlights of this match will be on Player at 16:45 on Sunday

The on-loan Stoke City full back smashed a last minute free-kick towards goal, deflecting off Michael Chopra amongst the crowded heap of players in the penalty area before hitting the back of the net and ultimately give the Tykes the win.

It was a match in which the wintry conditions certainly played there part, but the Bluebirds almost got off to a fortunate start when Ross McCormack's corner turned goal bound only for Rob Kozluk to clear off the line. But in a game of few chances, it was the only one of note for the Bluebirds first half performance, with Barnsley ending the half the stronger by consistently testing the Bluebirds defence from set pieces.

As conditions worsened in the second half, an early Chris Burke header was the only sight at goal for the Bluebirds who for the first time this season lacked a cutting edge going forward, perhaps down to the absence of influential Jay Bothroyd.

Indeed it was the home side who looked the most likely to earn three points with Steve Foster coming close with twenty minutes to go from an Adam Hammill free-kick.

The Tykes almost made amends with just six minutes to go as David Marshall parried an Adam Hammill shot falling to Hugo Colace on the edge of the area but could only fire over the bar. Ultimately they found their goal four minutes into added time through a fortunate Carl Dickinson free kick, ensuring a second defeat in two games for the Bluebirds.

Chronological Report

After a full two weeks of torment following our disappointing defeat against Swansea City, the Bluebirds travelled north to a wet a windy Barnsley looking to take three points and quickly erase the memory of that derby day defeat.

The odds looked good before the match. Cardiff had not lost in eight games against the Yorkshire club, the last defeat coming in November 2002. But this tie was in no hurry to provide us with the spectacular, as both sides struggled with the slippery conditions early on.

From the first quarter of an hour the Bluebirds had only two half chances of note. Ross McCormack almost got lucky with his goal bound corner from that right, eluding everyone but Rob Kozluk who cleared off the line, whilst Chris Burke scuffed an early chance wide. It was more than Barnsley however who struggled to even muster that.

But there was to be an early blow for the Bluebirds as Kevin McNaughton could only last the opening twenty minutes of his return from injury, tweaking his hamstring whilst in a chase with winger Adam Hammill.

Cardiff City Substitution: Kevin McNaughton off - Paul Quinn on (20 minutes)

The introduction of Quinn at least brought the first real talking point of the game as he sternly challenged Hugo Colace. The Argentine midfielder promptly fell to the ground like a sack of spuds, clutching his thigh looking for an early dismissal of the Scottish full back. Rightly it did not come but Quinn did get a harsh booking due to the Argentine's Oscar winning performance.

As you can probably tell, this game was turning into an extremely scrappy affair with very little chances coming for either side. But with just under ten minutes to go the Tykes saw their first sight of goal, as Daniel Bogdanovic was thread through on the counter attack. The Serbian set himself for a shot on goal, only for winger Chris Burke to track back well and snatch the ball at the death.

It signalled a good spell for the home side who were soon denied another chance at goal. Paul Quinn scrambling to head clear a teasing Anderson De Silva cross from the right, with Bogdanovic looming at the far post.

Going into the break, the Tykes were starting to edge this wintry affair, consistently testing the Bluebirds back line from set pieces but lacking that clinical edge in front of goal. It was a disappointing half for the Bluebirds who certainly seemed to be missing influential front man Jay Bothroyd.

Half time: Barnsley 0-0 Cardiff City

With conditions worsening at Oakwell, the second half got underway with the Bluebirds starting well to put early pressure on the Barnsley defence.

Michael Chopra went on a promising early run, skipping two tackles only to be crowded out by a sea of Red shirts before getting a shot at goal. Moments later Peter Whittingham then floated in a superb cross to Chris Burke at the far post. The winger headed towards goal only for Chris Dickinson to block the Scots effort before troubling Barnsley keeper Steele.

But the Bluebirds could not maintain their early pressure as Barnsley slowly started to regain their momentum from the end of the first half and with half an hour to go almost took the lead.

With Cardiff struggling to hold the ball up front, Barnsley appeared to be having the better of possession and almost made the most of it as Hugo Colace shot from long range. His ambitious effort deflected off the heels of Gavin Rae, leaving Marshall helpless, but fortunately skipped just wide off the slippery Oakwell surface.

The rain was now pouring down in South Yorkshire, but it was not dampening the home sides ambition as they again had a chance to take the lead from a Hammill free kick from the left. The former Liverpool man floated in his cross towards captain Steve Foster who mis-headed his effort at goal to allow Marshall to parry, before Joe Ledley scrambled clear.

Cardiff City Substitution: Ross McCormack off - Warren Feeney on (69 mins)

Barnsley Substitution: Daniel Bogdanovic off- Iain Hume on (75 mins)

In truth, there appeared to be only one winner now as Barnsley often penned Cardiff into their own area as the match drew to a close. The Tykes continued to provide a threat from set pieces, a test the Bluebirds defence looked to be standing up too.

But with the game delving into the depth of injury time and the match seemingly destined to end in a bore draw, referee Kevin Wright awarded Barnsley a last minute free kick on the edge of the area for a hand ball by Mark Hudson.

It was a lottery as to who would hit the last gasp effort, but against boss Mark Robin's wishes, on-loan Stoke City defender Carl Dickinson stepped up and smashed the ball towards goal, deflecting off an unaware Michael Chopra inside the Cardiff area, leaving Marshall helpless as the ball hit the back of the net.

GOAL: Barnsley 1-0 Cardiff City (Carl Dickinson 90 +4 mins)

It ensured it was now consecutive defeats for the Bluebirds who slipped to fifth in the Championship as a result, but they could have nothing to complain about except a bad slice of luck at the death and a depleted side.

Final Score: Barnsley 1-0 Cardiff City

Barnsley: Luke Steele, Rob Kozluk, Ryan Shotton, Stephen Foster, Carl Dickinson, Anderson De Silva, Nathan Doyle, Hugo Colace, Adam Hammill, Jon Macken, Daniel Bogdanovic (Iain Hume 75).

Subs not used: David Preece, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Bobby Hassell, Emil Hallfredsson, O'neil Thompson, Andy Gray

Cardiff City: David Marshall, Kevin McNaughton (Paul Quinn 20), Mark Kennedy, Mark Hudson, Gabor Gyepes, Joe Ledley, Gavin Rae, Chris Burke, Peter Whittingham, Michael Chopra, Ross McCormack (Warren Feeney 69).

Subs not used: Peter Enckelman, Miguel Comminges, Riccardo Scimeca, Josh Magennis, Aaron Wildig.

Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire)

Attendance: 11,903 (Oakwell, Barnsley)