Bersant Celina was again on target for the Blues but his late goal wasn’t enough to prevent Town from falling to a 3-1 defeat at Cardiff. Junior Hoilett put the Bluebirds in front on 12, then Omar Bogle doubled the lead seconds after the break. Celina’s final minute goal threatened to set up an unexpected grandstand finish but Danny Ward’s injury time goal ended Town’s hopes of gaining a surprise point.

Town boss Mick McCarthy made six changes to the side which beat Burton Albion 2-1 on Saturday.

Into the XI came Celina, Dominic Iorfa, Tommy Smith, who was making his first appearance since the opening day of the campaign, Flynn Downes, Grant Ward and Kevin Bru, who was handed his first start of the season.

Adam Webster, Martyn Waghorn, David McGoldrick, Jordan Spence and Freddie Sears were all rested - Town have three games in eight days - and dropped to the bench, while Tristan Nydam was missing from the 18.

The Blues started in a 4-1-2-3 system with Downes and Bru, who came on as a sub against the Brewers, just ahead of Cole Skuse in central midfield, Ward and Celina in the wide roles and Joe Garner the lone central striker.

Cardiff were without striker Kenneth Zohore and midfielder Aron Gunnarsson due to ankle injuries and full-back Joe Bennett, who has a calf problem.

The Bluebirds made three changes from the team which drew 0-0 with Millwall at the weekend with Lee Tomlin, Bogle and Callum Paterson coming into the team for Craig Bryson, Town summer target Danny Ward - who both dropped to the bench - and the injured Bennett.

Former Blues keeper Brian Murphy and ex-loan winger Liam Feeney were both among the Cardiff subs.

The Bluebirds made the early running, Sol Bamba hooking over following a long Paterson throw, then home skipper Sean Morrison claimed he was hauled back by Garner as a corner came over from the left. The former Reading man may have had a case.

On seven Hoilett struck the game’s first serious effort, cutting in from the left before shooting across Bartosz Bialkowski’s goal and wide.

Town were still to get going when the Bluebirds took the lead in the 12th minute. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was given plenty of time to cross deep from the right and an unmarked Hoilett hit a rather scuffed volley into the ground and past the unsighted Bialkowski. It was a goal which appeared all too easy for the home side to score.

Having gone behind the Blues began to make some headway, Bru seeing a strike from the edge of the area blocked.

But on 16 Cardiff would have doubled their lead but for a brilliant Bialkowski stop. Hoilett curled across a teasing low ball from the right, which Bogle toed towards goal only for the Blues’ Polish keeper to stick out a foot and keep it out.

In the 27th minute Celina was rather less successful with a freekick from just outside the area than he had been at the weekend, hitting his strike straight at the wall after Downes had been fouled as he broke towards the box after good work from the Kosovo international in the build-up.

The Blues were beginning to pass the ball with more confidence and in the 31st minute they should have got on terms.

Celina sent over a corner which had been well won by Ward from the right, Garner rose highest to flick across goal straight to Smith at the far post, who scraped wide when he should have scored.

Chambers blocked a Bogle overhead kick inside the area with his head on 38, before Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge badly mis-kicked when out of his goal on the Cardiff right. Fortunately for the home side Ward was unable to find space to shoot at the empty goal.

The Bluebirds had another chance a minute later when Mendez-Laing was fed in behind Smith but the former Rochdale man smashed into the side-netting.

Town carved out another opportunity to equalise in the 40th minute, Celina weaving his way into the box before finding Downes unmarked on the right of the area. The 18-year-old looked destined to score his first senior goal but somehow Joe Ralls slid in to divert the ball behind.

The Blues again weren’t too far away from a leveller in the 44th minute, Garner rising high to head Celina’s left-sided corner over the bar.

In first-half injury time Ralls hit a shot from the edge of the Town box which was deflected behind after a well-worked Cardiff counter-attack.

The scoreline remained the same at the break, the Blues having come more into the game as the half wore on having made a slow start during which they conceded Cardiff’s goal.

They might well have conceded again before creating but being unable to take two or three chances to equalise. However, the Bluebirds continued to be a threat at the other end.

The second half was only 35 seconds old when the home side doubled their lead. After a clever pass from Lee Tomlin, Mendez-Laing squared to Bogle, who had only Bialkowski to beat, which he did confidently.

Bogle, who was making his first start for the Bluebirds following his summer move from Wigan, went close again in the 53rd minute, hitting a shot which Bialkowski did well to bat away after linking up with Hoilett.

A minute later, with the home side now confidently stroking the ball around, Paterson hit a low effort which the Town keeper saved down to his right.

On 59 Tomlin, who scored a hat-trick against the Blues in Peterborough’s 7-1 home win over Town in 2011, tricked his way to some space 25 yards out but his shot failed to trouble Bialkowski. A minute later Smith was booked for a foul on Paterson.

The Blues had done little to suggest they would win after coming from behind for a third time away from home this season, so it was little shock when McCarthy made the first of his three changes in the 65th minute.

However, Callum Connolly’s introduction for Downes - who had found the game tough - was perhaps a surprise with the Blues briefly playing a 4-4-1-1 system with Celina off Garner. Soon after, Cardiff swapped Tomlin for Loic Damour.

In the 73rd minute Bru was replaced by Sears, who joined Garner up front. But the Blues continued to struggle to make any impact.

On 76 Hoilett was replaced by ex-Town loanee Feeney for Cardiff, then two minutes later Waghorn took over from Garner for the Blues. The Bluebirds replaced Bogle, who was given a warm ovation by the home fans, with Danny Ward for the final eight minutes.

Morrison was booked for a foul on Sears as he broke towards the Cardiff area on the left on 83. Celina took the freekick and curled towards goal but Etheridge pawed behind, his first serious save of the game.

Seconds later, Cardiff threatened again on the break, Skuse turning Mendez-Laing’s cross from the right behind at the far post.

With three minutes remaining Ward should have made it 3-0 after Town failed to deal with a ball over the top. The former Rotherham man used his strength to hold off a challenge but somehow stabbed wide.

Town were handed a surprise lifeline in the final minute when Celina pulled a goal back, the on-loan Manchester City man’s fifth of his loan spell.

Sears broke into the area and saw his strike blocked and Waghorn saw his subsequent effort charged down before Grant Ward squared to Celina, whose low shot beat Etheridge.

But the home fans’ nervousness regarding a shock Town comeback lasted only a minute with Danny Ward quickly restoring the Bluebirds’ two-goal advantage.

With Town having committed plenty of men forward, Mendez-Laing brought the ball forward in space on the Cardiff left before hitting a shot which Bialkowski saved. However, the ball fell to sub Ward who found the net. Soon after, referee Oliver Langford brought the game to an end.

The home side thoroughly deserved the three points with the match looking to have been settled 35 seconds into the second half when Bogle scored Cardiff’s second goal.

Town, having spurned a number of chances to equalise in the first half, never looked like getting back into the match in the second until Celina’s surprise late goal but Ward’s third came soon afterwards to prevent a late flurry which might have yielded an undeserved equaliser.

Again, having beaten a team from the division's lower reaches, Burton Albion, at the weekend, the Blues were unable to take anything from a match against a side from nearer the top, the victory having taken the Welshmen up to second.

The game failing to end in a draw equals a Town club record of 14 matches without a draw from the start of a season achieved at the beginning of the 1954/55 campaign.

The result sees the Blues drop to 11th ahead of Saturday’s home game against Preston, whose manager Alex Neil watched tonight’s match, with the Lilywhites a place above them on goal difference ahead of their game at home to Aston Villa tomorrow.

Cardiff: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison (c), Ecuele Manga, Tomlin (Damour 66), Ralls, Bamba, Paterson, Mendez-Laing, Bogle (Ward 82), Hoilett (Feeney 76). Unused: Murphy, Halford, Bryson, Gounongbe.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Knudsen, Chambers (c), T Smith, Skuse, Downes (Connolly 64), Bru (Sears 73), Celina, Ward, Garner (Waghorn 78). Unused: Gerken, Webster, Waghorn, McGoldrick, Spence, Sears. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands). Att:15,951.

Photo: Action Images

Rensham added 22:35 - Oct 31 Win our game in hand and we are top six. Cardiff away always going to be a tough ask. At least we rested a few players for Saturday and three points. Tough luck Mick and the boys.
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KenHancocksBoot added 22:38 - Oct 31 "My job is to manage the team, to coach the team, me & TC, and get points and results, and that's just what I did and what I'll continue to do" Hm. Two wins in the last 10 against the mighty Burton and Bolton, eight defeats. How is he still here?
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Bluewelshman added 22:38 - Oct 31 I've said it before and I'll say it again "Mick don't give a F**k". He picks Celina, and then drops our top goal scorer, along with half the regular team to (in my opinion) lose the game and blame the fans for badgering him into picking Celina, but because he scored, especially after Waggers came on its shown up Mick, and his team selection for what it was, a F**k you to the fans. It's only recently I've lost all faith in MM, and todays match has shown me that I was right to realise what Mick is...an average manager with no interest in the club he manages as long as people still wax lyrical about him, and polish him massive ego. This football club that I love has become toxic with the manager consistently dismissing thee fans as a bunch of idiots who don't understand the game of football, because we were never professional footballers. With this attitude he has alienated the fans, along with an owner who seems to have the same contempt towards the fans, as he never appears to care how his club running as long as he is in the "Football Club Owners" club with his rich mates. This is what this family friendly, community supporting, well renowned unfashionable club has become...a money grabbing place with no heart, and soon virtually zero supporters in the ground. Even when Mick goes, I don't think anyone out there should expect it to get any better with our invisible owner, and the suits he puts up to talk for him, I'm afraid that the rot has set in, and it's going to take a lot to get this club back to what it was...a very special place in all fans hearts. coyb

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1psw1ch added 22:42 - Oct 31 life's a bitch been a Ipswich fan these days ,,,we are crap end of story
10

Surco72 added 22:44 - Oct 31 This seemed like a typical right off cup game under MM to me , mass changes yet according to him any team can beat any team then why give up before the game has started?
11

Bert added 22:45 - Oct 31 The same old hack on here with nothing intelligent to say and he doesn't even go to home games. Not much to choose between MM's game plan and the poster's lack of considered opinion. We all know MM has passed his sell by date but to ridicule fans who go to home games is on a par with MM's own performance. Spotted him yet ?
0

SouperJim added 22:46 - Oct 31 Did anyone think we had a cats chance in hell of getting anything at Cardiff? That in itself tells you how far we've fallen. The Ipswich I fell in love with could beat anyone, home or away, but those days seem long gone now. ME either back your manager or get someone in who is at least prepared to show a little ambition in how we play. I'm sick to the back teeth with Mick "safe" McCarthy.

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BlueArrow added 22:48 - Oct 31 @Martin 587 if ever you have a spare seat in the car would love to go to more away games and share costs. Respect to you for your endeavours.
2

Seasider added 22:52 - Oct 31 Not an unexpected result. Surprised no Webster or Waghorn in place of Garner who is now off the boil Thought midfield looked better on paper, Skuse always plays as do Chambers and Knudsen regardless.Not a good idea to have favourites,as they are no better than the other players Unable to even listen let alone watch unusually; so can't comment on match, however am pleased for Besant Celina. Still not beaten team in top half of table Will be interesting to hear what Mr. McCarthy has to say after yet another defeat, after what he had to say after a win last week ! Will be at P R as usual for Preston game; but will Mick the Mighty be in the dugout? I fear he will be Oh dear !!!

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TimmyH added 23:02 - Oct 31 @souperjim - the mighty Millwall got a draw on saturday at Cardiff!! - and quite deservedly so what I heard, but as one or two others have mentioned the changes made tonight 'wiffs' of saving some players legs for Saturday for a supposedly more winnable game. Problem is Preston are a top half team.
5

GiveusaWave added 23:03 - Oct 31 I am not criticising Bru...but it wasn't so long ago that MM was saying he isn't the future of this club. If that's the case, why is he getting into the team ahead of Nydam (who is the future of our club)? Honestly thought the team selection was "off" from the start...I can't see what people see in Iorfa or Connolly, Smith instead of Webster was strange and up front we looked feather-weight. Odd decisions MM.

5

jollyroger added 23:06 - Oct 31 Awful defending and you was a defender McCarthy , says it all, just go now
5

norfstanda added 23:15 - Oct 31 could be worse....could be sunderland
3

BlueArrow added 23:18 - Oct 31 Same result as last season. Same score different month different season same sh one t
6

SingBlue added 23:20 - Oct 31 Rensham you confuse me, actually you confuse me with everything you say but particularly tonight! The game in hand you mention is Derby away and it will be midweek so surely the tactical mastermind MM will be resting players for that game, as they're better than Cardiff
6

Rensham added 23:26 - Oct 31 no I'm counting the game in hand as the next game until we catch the other clubs up. hope that clears everything up
-6

Knightsy added 23:29 - Oct 31 We lost the game before kick off, with this p#*s poor team selection. This is the 1st time I've made a comment this season on here, I saw all the BS posts at the start of the season, Super MICK this and that Sh1te. I just feel for the supporters that went to Cardiff. The Club is still a laugh stock. Bye bye ME and MM time to go.
9

adeblueboy added 23:39 - Oct 31 I was there tonight and mick is definitely taking the p*** . He made six changes tonight!!! Why, only mick knows. Celina in, at last and Bru the forgotten man. Iorfa and Smith???? Why? They were both awful. No Waghorn or McGoldrick and Downes appears again along with Ward. Iorfa is nowhere to be seen for cardiffs first goal! Then they score just after half time. Time to bring on our goalscorers now then Waghorn and Dids, no hang on its Connolly for Downes. Mick must of missed the goal and thought it was still 1-0. Sears then comes on, hasnt scored for decades. Then with ten minutes left hooray Waghorn is finally let loose and we are now going to go for it but wait, no , he takes off Garner. Mick should reimburse us all for that performance tonight. He really does not give a s***. I am sure he played that team tonight because we all wanted him to play Celina. Team for saturday Bart Spence Chambers Webster Knudsen Skuse Bru Waghorn McGoldrick Celina Garner

6

Minneapolis_ITFC added 23:40 - Oct 31 There is always some level of amusement to those who continue to provide the manager defense after games of this nature. #1 It's only a minor setback / We'll be back bigger and better #2 The opposition were a very good team #3 We don't have the money to compete with other teams in the league #4 Allow the manager more time / It's only a matter of patience #5 McCarthy is doing a good job ..(fu-k me I wouldn't wish to see him providing a bad one..) Let's put all this into clear simple perspective - we're a once fashionable club side being rode into the dirt by not only the manager we possess but the owner along with it. On the chance McCarthy is reading this - however unlikely - I ask you to do the honorable thing and vacate your position. Take the opportunity to offer thanks for the play-off opportunity a year or two back but the majority of your tenure has seen levels of mundane garbage not seen since Paul Jewell. Where is Marcus Evans while all this is going on, somebody tell me that.

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shakytown added 23:59 - Oct 31 Tash. Do you really think the likes of Huws who could not even make the Cardiff reserves would make a difference.
0

oldegold added 00:03 - Nov 1 I recall that on 5 January 2011 ME sacked Keane after losing at home to Nottm Forest as he said that the relationship had broken down and when a manager starts to argue with money-paying fans then it's time to go....the atmosphere is toxic once again because of the dreadful football on offer by McCathy and yet he's still here...tomorrow morning ? Surely ME will not let this season already go to waste and must relieve him of his duties immediately to try and save not only the season but the soul of our club. MM's 5 years were up ages ago though....

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blue75 added 02:25 - Nov 1 Another top half team another defeat. Defeats used to hurt now they're just expect. Sad state of affairs.
5

algarvefan added 02:35 - Nov 1 When you were lucky enough to live through the Bobby Robson era, this is sad stuff, I think MM has let his childish nature get the better of him, there is no way he picked a team to win tonight, if your best players are fit you play them. All you can do is hope he see's the light, we do have good players, with heart, so lets play them.
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Spanishblueblood added 06:55 - Nov 1 Things need to change and change quickly before attendances drop further and we lose fans forever. Evans has to get rid of MM immediately, this buffoon cant be allowed to destroy relationships between the club and fans any longer. Talking of buffoons, Rensham, you really are a tool my friend but your posts do make good comedic reading!
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warktheline added 06:56 - Nov 1 If there were ever a natural parting of the waves surely McCarthy to Sunderland ! Hand and glove job for him... club in free fall and in need of rescue! Sound familiar boss? Please go and cast your magic on wearside and give us weary Town supporters a well earned break!
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