Snapshot:Cardiff City were stunned at the last by an equalising Barnsley goal after dominating large spells of the game. The Bluebirds were a joy to watch at times, Kim Bo-Kyung in particular intuitively creating chances whilst testing the waters, eventually breaking the deadlock in the second half through Ben Turner. The defender volleyed home to steer Cardiff toward victory in a game that was becoming increasingly one sided, only for a cruel last second deflected equaliser that last hit Foster, leaving Marshall with no chance.
Chronological Report:Cardiff hosted Barnsley for the first of three consecutive home games on a mild Tuesday evening with Mackay making two changes. McNaughton, who deputised so well in the fantastic defensive display against Watford on the weekend slotted in at right back, whilst Tommy Smith came in for Conway on the wing.
Joe Mason signalled Cardiff's attacking intent early with a good run down the right, but no support meant his square ball was fruitless. Smith then upped the ante on the minute mark with a fierce thirty yard drive that stung the gloves of Tykes ‘keeper Steele. A dipping Bellamy volley from the far corner of the box that dropped wide then made it three chances in three minutes. On loan Leon Barnett, who had been dominating aerially so far, then played a visionary long ball into the path of Mason, the striker cutting back to Gunnarsson. The Icelandic International was afforded too much time on the edge of the Tykes' box, but could only drag his shot wide of the near post.
A Cardiff break led to Mutch squaring to McNaughton, the full back finding himself inside the Barnsley penalty area. His shot was deflected, but a minute later Smith again beat the closest man and played a ball that Barnsley failed to deal with. Bellamy hit the loose ball on the turn firing a low shot that Steele somehow pushed onto the post, the attack typifying Cardiff's trademark high pressure, without any reward.
Jordon Mutch then unleashed the shot of the match with an effort from over thirty yards that was dipping toward the far corner, Steele enjoying a good view and keeping his composure to save. The Barnsley goalkeeper had by far been the busiest, in comparison Marshall not having to make a save on the half hour mark. A Kim Bo-Kyung back heel drew purrs of appreciation from the strong Cardiff support, the South Korean creating seemingly at will. Playing keep ups with McNaughton he secured possession, whilst another flick nearly released Gunnarsson for a drive at goal, but for a timely interception by Bobby Hassell.
The half ended with the Bluebirds continuing to stretch their legs going forward, Barnsley barely registering a touch of the ball.
HALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY 0 – 0 BARNSLEY
Barnsley started the second with their best created chance of the game, a free kick laid off David Perkins who moved the ball to his left before swinging a well placed cross that Hassell sent wide of Marshall's right post. Cardiff soon regained control however and moved the ball to the inspirational Kim Bo-Kyung who collected on the left, drilling a shot that deflected wide. Bellamy's pace then nearly caught out both Barnsley defence and goalkeeper chasing a looping Mutch pass, Steele initially in no man's land but recovering well.
Substitution Cardiff: Heidar Helguson on for Joe Mason (58 mins)
Cardiff's football was always going to pay off, and when Kim fired in a corner to the far post, an off balance Ben Turner volleyed home to give the Bluebirds a deserved lead.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY 1 – 0 BARNSLEY (Turner, 59 mins)
The hosts had to be wary of conceding after scoring, with Marlon Harewood played through as Barnsley garnered an early response. Thankfully the striker's tame effort was comfortably collected by Marshall.
Substitution Barnsley: Jason Scotland on for Marlon Harewood (66 mins)
Substitution Cardiff: Peter Whittingham on for Kim Bo-Kyung (67 mins)
Substitution Barnsley: Chris Dagnall on for Jacob Mellis (69 mins)
Helguson killed the ball with a deft touch, rifling a volley over the bar and sent a header inches wide to stamp his mark on the pitch as the game stepped into the last quarter of an hour.
Substitution Cardiff: Craig Conway on for Tommy Smith (79 mins)
Cardiff's delivery into the box was becoming increasingly testing with several breaks down the wing putting Steele under pressure to collect or parry, whilst Barnsley were picking up the ball for their best spell of the match culminating in a Stephen Dawson shot that sailed over the bar. Mutch shuffled his feet well to set up a low drive that Steele pushed wide, but Whittingham couldn't make the subsequent corner count.
McNaughton mopped up a long ball that caught the Cardiff defence napping, before releasing quickly. Heidar Helguson then won the physical battle to gift a one on one opportunity, but the striker took a touch too many and his shot was pushed wide by Steele.
It was an opportunity that gave Barnsley the impetus, and with five minutes of added time up they moved the ball threateningly for the first time in the game. The ball pinged outside Cardiff area, the Bluebirds clearing their lines well before Foster picked it up and pulled the trigger. As the crowd reached a crescendo, the opera conjuring heartbreak ensured with Marshall desperately unlucky, helpless to stop a deflected shot roll past him for the last kick of the game.
GOAL: CARDIFF CITY 1 – 1 BARNSLEY (Foster, 95 mins)
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 1 - 1 BARNSLEY
Attendance: 22,584