by Steve Garland

Snapshot

Cardiff City secured their place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers, goals from Michael Chopra, Peter Whittingham and Josh Magennis proving enough on the night.

After numerous chances in the first half, Michael Chopra eventually gave Cardiff the lead with just over half an hour gone to score his eighth goal of the season.

Peter Whittingham then tapped in to double City's lead with twenty minutes gone in the second half before Steve Elliott pulled one back for Rovers to ensure an interesting final 15 minutes.

But all doubts of Cardiff's place in the third round were put to bed as Josh Magennis pounced on a parried save by Rovers keeper Rhys Evans to claim his first senior goal for the club and ensure City's place in the draw on Saturday.

Chronological Report:

Following Sunday's demolition of one Bristol side, Cardiff City welcomed Bristol Rovers to the Cardiff City Stadium for tonight's Carling Cup Second Round tie.

Cardiff, who named a strong line-up for the match, started the game the stronger as Michael Chopra looked to continue his scoring form. Chopra, who had scored seven goals prior to the visit of Rovers, had a chance to increase that tally early doors as a long range effort just skipped wide of the left hand post.

Just moments later a brilliant passing move by City gave Chopra another effort on goal, but as he looked to unleash his fiery effort on goal, Steve Elliott pounced to make the block and send the ball out for a corner. With just six minutes gone Cardiff looked to have continued their form from the weekend and from the corner almost took a deserved early lead as Gabor Gyepes' looping header just landed on the roof of the net.

The Rovers defence was struggling with the high tempo passing the Bluebirds were bringing to the table and another chance soon came City's way. Following a foul on Chris Burke on the right flank, Peter Whittingham sent in the resultant free-kick towards the unmarked Gabor Gyepes in the six yard area. The Hungarian International though, when it seemed easier to score, could only manage to hit the upright and not the back of the net, Rovers quickly scrambling to clear.

Despite the miss, it seemed only a matter of time before the Bluebirds broke the deadlock. On fire Michael Chopra almost did just that with 20 minutes gone, taking advantage of some space outside of the 18-yard box. Chopra unleashed a curling effort towards goal that had Rovers keeper Evans scrambling across to save it, but fortunately for the on loan keeper, the ball just crept wide.

Rovers had barely ventured out of their half so far in the game, but had a rare attack through strikers Jo Kuffour and Daryl Duffy. The front men linked up well to give former Swansea City player Duffy the chance to shoot, but his effort provided more trouble to the corner flag than City keeper Enckelman.

One man who had not had a chance so far was full debutant Kelvin Etuhu, but two quickly came for the on loan striker/winger. Peter Whittingham provided him his first but he could only prod wide, before he linked up well with strike partner Chopra for his second. Chopra found Etuhu with a superb low cross, but Etuhu's powerful effort was saved well by Rhys Evans in the Rovers goal.

Many chances had gone begging for the Bluebirds, but they finally took advantage of a more unlikely chance as Michael Chopra finished well, at a tight angle, to give the Bluebirds the lead. Peter Whittingham and Kelvin Etuhu combined well on the edge of the box, before Whittinham guided Chopra through with a superbly weighted through ball. Chopra picked it up and despite the tight angle curved a fantastic finish into the back of the net past the outstretched Evans. That was Chopra's eighth goal in six games, enough said.

GOAL: Cardiff City 1-0 Bristol Rovers (Michael Chopra, 33 mins)

After finally claiming a deserved lead, the Bluebirds almost immediately gave it away following some poor defensive play whilst dealing with a Rovers punt forward. Anthony Gerrard's attempted clearance caught out Enckelman in goal, but Paul Quinn came to the rescue to clear the ball off the line and out for a corner. It was the only time Rovers had merely tested Peter Enckelman in the first half and it was courtesy of the City defence.

As half time approached City maintained possession comfortably and ensured they went into the break with a deserved one-goal lead.

Half time: Cardiff City 1-0 Bristol Rovers

As the rain poured down at the Cardiff City Stadium, the second half got underway with Cardiff again controlling possession, but it was Rovers who had the early chance. An early Rovers corner played havoc in the Cardiff box as Peter Enckelman struggled to collect in the six-yard area; a scramble emerged with an eventual free kick given for a foul on the Finnish keeper.

In the 15 minutes played of the second half, Rovers were the team looking the most likely to score, but were continuously let down by their final ball to front men Jo Kuffour and Daryl Duffy.

Cardiff eventually had their first attack of the half as Kelvin Etuhu broke free of the Rovers defence, hurdling the challenge of Byron Anthony allowing him to run through on goal, but former Bluebird Anthony recovered well to make the block as Etuhu shot on goal.

Bristol Rovers Substitution: Dominic Blizzard off - Ben Swallow on (61 mins)

It appeared to get Cardiff back in the mood though as they soon doubled their lead through Peter Whittingham. Some excellent play by Etuhu again down the right put through Chris Burke on the tight angle. Burke's low shot could only be parried by goalkeeper Evans, allowing Whittingham to tap home for his third goal of the season and double City's lead.

GOAL: Cardiff City 2-0 Bristol Rovers (Peter Whittingham 65 mins)

Bristol Rovers substitution: Darryl Duffy off - Andy Williams on (67 mins)

City now looked very comfortable in the game, but still went looking for more goals through Gavin Rae. His effort on goal deflected off the Rovers defence but was just reached by keeper Evans, who saved well with his legs. It was to be Rae's last contribution as City welcomed back Riccy Scimeca to first team action after a long spell of injuries.

Cardiff City substitution: Gavin Rae off - Riccy Scimeca on (71 mins)

But with just 15 minutes to go and Cardiff looking comfortable, Rovers ensured it would be an interesting final period of the match as they pulled one back through Steve Elliott. Stuart Campbell's in swinging corner found the veteran defender, who jumped well and powered home a header just out of the reach of Enckelman, to the delight of the well-travelled Bristol Rovers fans in the corner.

GOAL: Cardiff City 2-1 Bristol Rovers (Steve Elliott 75 mins)

Cardiff Substitution: Kelvin Etuhu off- Josh Magennis on

It spurred on the travelling fans who were now in full voice following Elliott's goal and it was echoed by their teams performance as they pushed forward to get the equaliser. With just under 10 minutes to go some neat build up play between David Pipe and Jo Kuffour on the right wing allowed them to find Stuart Campbell in space on the edge of the area, but Campbell could only blaze over the bar to the jeers of the City fans.

It was a wake up call for the Bluebirds, who were now not looking certain of their place in the third round. But with five minutes to go and somewhat against the run of play, Josh Magennis made certain of the victory. After the ball fell to Chopra in the box he looked for he second of the game with his shot on goal, but once again Evans could only parry, allowing Magennis to tap home for his first senior goal.

GOAL: Cardiff City 3-1 Bristol Rovers (Josh Magennis 85 mins)

Cardiff City substitution: Chris Burke off - Aaron Wildig on (86 mins)

With the victory now assured, any Rovers pressure that had been building on the Bluebirds was quickly erased and it was in fact Cardiff who could have scored another goal as Michael Chopra and Magennis linked up well in attack, although this time Chopra could not get his effort on target.

It did not matter though as Cardiff were safely through to the third round of the Carling Cup with what was, in the end, a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Full Time: Cardiff City 3-1 Bristol Rovers

Attendance: 9,767

Referee: Mr R East

Man of the Match: Chris Burke

Match Sponsor: Thomas Cook

Teams:

Cardiff City: Peter Enckelman, Paul Quinn, Tony Capaldi, Gabor Gyepes, Anthony Gerrard, Chris Burke (Aaron Wildig 86), Stephen McPhail, Gavin Rae (Riccy Scimeca 71), Peter Whittingham, Michael Chopra, Kelvin Etuhu (Josh Magennis 78). Subs not used: David Marshall, Mark Kennedy, Darcy Blake, Miguel Comminges.

Bristol Rovers: Rhys Evans, Carl Regan, Steve Elliott, Byron Anthony, David Pipe (Charlie Reece 89), Chris Lines, Stuart Campbell, Darryl Duffy (Andy Williams 67), Jeff Hughes, Dominic Blizzard (Ben Swallow 61), Jo Kuffour. Subs not used: Danny Coles, Ben Hunt, Elliott Richards, Dan Rayford.

Carling Cup Third Round draw: This Saturday