by Mark Denham, from London Road

Snapshot

Cardiff City's hopes of a good Carling Cup run came to an end on Tuesday evening, following defeat to Peterborough United at London Road.

The Bluebirds controlled the bulk of the first half and deserved their lead given to them after thirty minutes by Jay Bothroyd.

But injury to Seyi Olofinjana put an end to 'City's midfield dominance and in the second period, it was the hosts who had the better chances.

Peterborough equalised on seventy-three minutes when Craig Mackail-Smith struck home a great left-footed effort past a helpless, and otherwise faultless Tom Heaton - it gave the home-side a momentum they would capitalise on. 

Cardiff were denied a penalty with five minutes to play when Bothroyd appeared to have been brought down in the area, but the referee thought otherwise and allowed play to continue. Two minutes later, George Boyd found space and time on the edge of the Cardiff area to curl another perfect strike past Heaton into the top corner and seal the upset.

Chronological Report

Chris Burke had the first opportunity of the cup-tie at London Road as he connected with a flat Koumas cross from the left flank. Burke met the ball, but couldn't control it to steer it goal-wards and instead had to watch it fly wide of the near post.

George Boyd struck a good effort from twenty yards out just after five minutes, forcing Tom Heaton to dive to his far post and ensure it drifted to safety. It was the home side's first real sniff of goal, but the Bluebirds immediately re-took possession from the restart and continued to dictate proceedings.

Seyi Olofinjana continued his impressive form shown at Derby and against Doncaster in the opening twelve minutes of this one, and could have scored his first goal from inside the penalty area early on. Peterborough were unable to defend an Adam Matthews long throw, allowing a snap shot from the Nigerian that had it been accurate, may have well had Joe Lewis beaten.

The game began to even up in terms of possession approaching the twenty minute mark before 'City had two good chances. The first came when Koumas delivered a teasing ball to the back post, allowing Burke to nod back for Bothroyd - unfortunately for 'City Ryan Bennett did enough to clear. The second chance was even nicer on the eye - Koumas again involved, striking a brilliant dipping shot from outside the area that only just cleared Lewis' crossbar.

Matthews' long throws were causing the Posh difficulty, and Danny Drinkwater almost opened the scoring after breaking away from his defender and shooting from inside the area. Drinkwater's shot was always bending away from goal, but the midfielder continued to pose a threat from in and around the area that he has been showing in these early season games.

Drinkwater had another great opportunity after twenty-seven minutes, this time running the channel onto a Koumas ball before controlling well on his chest and firing at Lewis. But the goalkeeper again did well to deny him, and again moments later when he foiled a close-range Bothroyd header.

The goal seemed to be coming and it eventually did after half an hour in fantastic style. Olofinjana picked the ball up inside his own half before playing Drinkwater through the centre of midfield; Drinkwater played the ball out left to Koumas who delivered the perfect ball to Bothroyd at the far post to nod home past the flailing Lewis.

GOAL: PETERBOROUGH UNITED 0-1 CARDIFF CITY (Bothroyd, 30)

Substitution Cardiff City: McPhail on for Olofinjana (32 mins)

Peterborough came into the game more following the setback and put pressure on Heaton's goal without really testing the twenty-four year-old. Grant McCann had a good chance from twenty-five yards out from a set-piece, but his effort curled high and over to the disappointment of the London Road crowd.

'City had a good chance on the stroke of half time following good play by Burke and Whittingham. The Scot played Whittingham through inside the area allowing him to cut the ball back, and Stephen McPhail saw his effort cleared off the line after striking with outside of his left boot.

HALF TIME: PETERBOROUGH UNITED 0-1 CARDIFF CITY

The Posh had the first chance of the second half through Craig Mackail-Smith. The striker broke free of Adam Matthews on the right hand side before shooting from a tight angle at Heaton who did well to palm wide.

Two minutes later and Peterborough were at it again, this time Boyd striking with the outside of his boot at Heaton and forcing the 'keeper into another fantastic save. 'City eventually cleared their lines from the ensuing corner, but this was an impressive start to the second half by Peterborough.

McCann was the next to test Heaton, this time from twenty yards out with a curling, fizzing shot. The 'keeper fisted the ball away but only to Mackail-Smith, and when he passed inside to Boyd, the striker blazed over when he should have scored.

Burke had 'City's first true effort of the second half after drifting through a disjointed Peterborough midfield and shooting from distance. The effort was wide, though it gave Cardiff some impetus as the hour mark approached.

On seventy-three minutes, Peterborough got the equaliser that their second half performance arguably deserved. Mackail-Smith ran at the 'City defence before swivelling on the edge of the area; the striker composed himself well and struck with his weaker left foot past a helpless Heaton.

GOAL: PETERBOROUGH UNITED 1-1 CARDIFF CITY (Mackail-Smith, 73 mins)

Substitution Cardiff City: Aaron Wildig on for Stephen McPhail (82 mins)

Burke looked to be through with four minutes remaining after being played into the area by Aaron Wildig. Burke tracked back on himself before shaping to shoot, only for Bennett to make a superb saving tackle and keep the game heading for extra time. Wildig had an opportunity himself a minute later after finding himself free on the edge of the area, but his good effort on goal was just high of the crossbar.

Then with three minutes remaining, Peterborough took the lead. With the 'City defence on their heels, Boyd found time and space on the edge of the area before curling a superb effort past Heaton into the top corner.

Substitution Cardiff City: Paul Quinn on for Lee Naylor (86 mins)

GOAL: PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2-1 CARDIFF CITY (Boyd, 87)

The Bluebirds tried to push forward for an equaliser but in fairness, didn't really trouble the Posh defence. The referee played four minutes of additional time but there was no give for Cardiff and their Carling Cup hopes ended for another season.

FULL TIME: PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2-1 CARDIFF CITY