The Bluebirds were narrowly defeated by the Brewers on Tuesday night.
Brian Barry-Murphy made five changes to the team who beat Wigan Athletic last weekend. Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor, David Turnbull, Chris Willock and Yousef Salech all came into the starting XI.
It was the returning Salech who had two early chances to give City the lead. His first effort landed into the palms of Bradley Collins in the Burton goal, as his second forced an outstretched save, after Perry Ng’s back post cross found the striker.
The Bluebirds continued to dominate possession thereafter. Rubin Colwill’s free kick was tipped into the path of Joel Bagan, but he fired his rebound over the bar.
Burton later created their first chance of the game with just under 30 minutes played. George Evans’ header was superbly saved by Nathan Trott, and Ng made sure it remained level, clearing the ball off the line.
City thought they had taken the lead when Salech slotted the ball home, but he was adjudged to have fouled Alex Hartridge. Charlie Webster then tried his luck from distance for the visitors, but his effort flew wide of the post. David Turnbull had the last chance of the half for City. However, his half volley couldn’t find the target.
After a dominant first half display from the Bluebirds, they started the second much the same, with the first chance coming only four minutes after the interval. Yousef's headed knock down found Cian Ashford, whose powerful strike was kept out by the legs of Collins.
Salech then had a chance of his own, as Dylan Lawlor’s through ball found the striker, but his effort flew wide of the upright. Barry-Murphy’s men continued to look for the opener. Chris Willock’s low curling effort was tipped away by Collins, and City's number 22 couldn’t quite steer his header on target.
Substitute Callum Robinson looked to make an instant impact as his chipped through ball found Salech, but he just couldn’t get enough of the ball to poke it beyond the Burton keeper.
Despite City’s continuous pressure, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock with 82 minutes played. A goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Webster, who found the bottom corner.
The Bluebirds had one more chance deep into stoppage time as Rubin's header from close range was blocked by Jack Armer. With the final whistle blown, City fell to their second defeat of the season.
Cardiff City welcome Leyton Orient next to the CCS. Kick-off time is 3:00pm on Saturday, October 4th.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0-1 BURTON ALBION
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng (Kpakio 67’), Fish (Nyakuhwa 89’), Lawlor, Bagan, Wintle (Kellyman 67’), Turnbull (J.Colwill 77’), R. Colwill, Ashford (Robinson 67’), Willock, Salech. Subs Not Used: Turner, Chambers.
Burton Albion: Collins, Armer, Delap, Hartridge, Revan, Evans (Sibbick 90’), Webster, Lofthouse, McKiernan (Williams 75’), Tavares (Godwin-Malife 59’), Beesley. Subs Not Used: Amissah, Taroni, Krubally.