The Bluebirds suffered a two-nil home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday evening.
City were forced to play for the entirety of the second half with 10-men, and the away side capitalised on their one-man advantage to take the three points.
Brian Barry-Murphy picked the same XI that defeated Exeter City comprehensively on the weekend, and it was the Bluebirds who dominated the first half at Cardiff City Stadium.
Omari Kellyman would've wanted to do better with his chance after nine minutes. Rubin Colwill found our number eight in the box, but Kellyman couldn't divert on target at close range.
City continued their forward momentum with Ryan Wintle, Colwill and Cian Ashford all attempting to break the deadlock. The Bluebirds were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after 29 minutes as defender Gabriel Osho was clearly pulled to the floor off the ball.
Ollie Tanner's curling effort went just wide after 35 minutes before City's challenge of getting all three points from the encounter became even more difficult before the half-time whistle. Osho will have felt aggrieved the earlier decision didn't go his way. Sadly, for City's No.4, neither did a moment after 43 minutes. Osho swiftly slid in on Ewan Henderson after the ball broke clear in the middle of the park. Referee Carl Brook judged this challenge worthy of a red card, reducing the Bluebirds to ten men.
While City had a man less, it was still BBM's team who looked to control possession and create opportunities after the restart.
A rapid counter attack saw wingers Ashford and Tanner link up after 56 minutes. Ollie freed Ashford down the left wing. With plenty still to do, Cian beat his marker down the inside before curling just off target right footed.
The Chairboys are looking to reach the play-offs once again this season, and they started creating chances as the second half went on. Substitute Junior Quitirna flashed an effort just wide after 68 minutes.
Two minutes later, the Bluebirds went close at the other end as Ashford and Perry Ng combined down the right side. Perry’s low strike was saved by the legs of Will Norris.
Two attacking substitutes made the eventual difference for Wycombe Wanderers. André Vidigal struck a clinical finish with 11 minutes remaining after finding space behind the 10-man City to give his side the lead. The battling Bluebirds were punished again five minutes later. Cauley Woodrow with a close-range finish.
City never gave up trying to get back into the game. It felt like one of those evenings though with ricochets and bounces going against the Bluebirds at each turn. Callum Robinson had two late efforts go without reward.
For Brian Barry-Murphy’s side, it’s a quick turnaround. Blackpool are the visitors to CCS this weekend, and City will be aiming to return to winning ways before the international break.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 0-2 WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng, Osho, Lawlor (Robinson 85’), Bagan (Scanlon 72’), Wintle, Robertson (Turnbull 63’), R.Colwill, Tanner (Willock 63’), Ashford, Kellyman (J.Colwill 63’). Subs Not Used: Fish, Chambers.
Wycombe Wanderers: Norris, Grimmer, Taylor, Allen, Harvie, Morley, Boyd-Munce (Leahy 90+3’), Onyedinma, Henderson (Quitirna 57’), Harris (Vidigal 71’), Lowe (Woodrow 57’). Subs Not Used: van Sas, Nuggins, Mullins.