CARDIFF V MILLWALL

The Bluebirds lined up with the inventive strike partnership of Joe Mason and Eoin Doyle once again, as Craig Noone came in for Fábio – the only change from a midweek defeat to Ipswich Town.

City fired an early warning shot against the struggling Lions as Scott Malone, who provided a superb assist against the Tractor Boys, whipped another fierce delivery into the box. Joe Mason rose ahead of his marker but diverted his header beyond the far post of former Bluebird David Forde. 

While long distance efforts from the Lions’ Nicky Bailey and Dan Harding didn’t quite trouble David Marshall, City began to create some more openings. Sean Morrison came closest – almost netting his eighth goal of the season when he headed over from Peter Whittingham’s corner. Then, the lively Doyle sped past Mark Beevers on the right flank, but put too much on his squared ball into the box.

As the half came to a close, Lee Gregory was lucky to escape with a booking for a reckless challenge on Bruno Ecuele Manga. The incident added an extra edge to the match before the players returned to the dressing rooms, as Lee Peltier was also booked for his objections.

Five minutes after the interval, the visitors couldn’t have come closer to grabbing the opener. After an attacking free-kick, the ball fell to Beevers who rifled a thunderous effort at goal. A combination of Marshall and the crossbar kept the ball out though, before the follow-up effort was also cleared off the line.

Neil Harris’ men had switched the momentum of the match as City soon had Marshall to thank once more. This time Scotland’s number one thwarted Aiden O’Brien after the youngster had run through on goal.

City pushed to break the deadlock in the final quarter of the match as Russell Slade brought on Anthony Pilkington for his first home appearance since 21st November. The Irish international fired over a snap shot in his first involvement, but time was running out if they were to get on the score sheet.

Both Mason and Doyle continued to show great endeavour as they stretched the opposition back line. However, the Lions are fighting for their Championship survival and committed numbers forward late on with hopes of snatching what would have been a crucial three points.

They could have done just that when Ricardo Fuller beat Ecuele Manga and set the winner on a plate for the newly-introduced Gary Taylor-Fletcher. The former Blackpool forward fluffed his lines though, miscuing his effort and leaving his side four points from safety.

CARDIFF CITY: Marshall, Peltier, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Malone (Fábio 22), Noone (Kennedy 85), Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Ralls (Pilkington 64), Mason, Doyle. Subs Not Used: Moore, Adeyemi, O’Keefe, Harris.   

MILLWALL: Forde, Dunne, Martin (Gueye 62), Gregory (Taylor-Fletcher 74), Bailey, Woolford, Beevers, Harding, O’Brien (Fuller 74), Abdou, Nelson. Subs Not Used: Archer, Hooiveld, Cowan-Hall, Powell.