A young Cardiff City side suffered late heartbreak, as they were defeated 5-3 by Premier League side Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
The Bluebirds equalised three times throughout the 90 minutes, thanks to goals from Rubin Colwill, Alex Robertson, and a Ronnie Edwards own goal.
But in stoppage time, goals from Southampton’s James Bree and Cameron Archer meant it was they who booked their place in Round Three.
City manager Erol Bulut elected to make eleven changes from the side that drew away to Swansea City on Sunday, with several Academy players making it into the squad. Michael Reindorf, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, and Adeteye Gbadehan all made their first starts, while there were places on the bench for the likes of Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Cody Twose, and Morgan Wigley.
After an even start, it was the Premier League side who took the lead. Fernandes was found on the edge of the area, and he swept the ball into the bottom corner. Minutes later the Saints could have had a second as Amo-Ameyaw led a quick counterattack, but Jak Alnwick rushed out and saved well.
Midway through the half, City did find themselves level through a moment of brilliance. Picking the ball up from 30-yards out, Colwill took a touch and unleashed a rasping shot that deflected off the underside of the bar and in.
Yet it was the visitors who would go on to find a second. Some quick one touch football on the edge of the box allowed Amo-Ameyaw to find the top corner from outside the box.
Alnwick had to be alert once again to stop Archer’s flick on from a corner sneaking in, but at the break, City were behind.
Minutes into the second half, however, the Bluebirds were level. Raheem Conte’s driven cross was palmed away by Joe Lumley, but the keeper pushed the ball straight at Edwards, who put through his own net.
The pendulum would swing in Southampton’s favour again seven minutes later. Some patient buildup on the edge of the box eventually ended with the ball being played through into Archer, who slammed past Alnwick. But this young City team kept at it, and went on to equalise for the third time of the night. Colwill’s cross was headed back into the box by Conte, and there to volley home was Robertson, who scored his first goal for the Club.
The frantic second half took a bit of a pause after the flurry of goals, with neither side able to impose themselves onto the other, but it would be City who’d create the next opportunity. Cian Ashford raced through on goal, but Lumley would win the one-on-one battle.
Bulut’s side were now the team in the ascendancy, and once again almost found themselves ahead for the first time in the match. Some quick buildup play ended with Twose trying his arm from distance, but the ball flashed past the post.
For all the Bluebirds’ stellar work, they would go behind once again in added time, as James Bree volleyed into the top corner from 25-yards out. The Saints would add their fifth a minute from time, with Archer getting his second of the game.
Cardiff City will next be in action on Saturday, as they take on Middlesbrough at Cardiff City Stadium - Kick-Off at 12:30pm.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 3-5 SOUTHAMPTON
Cardiff City: Alnwick ©, Kpakio (Jefferies 78’), Goutas, Fagan-Walcott, Bagan, Gbadehan (Robertson 46’), Rinomhota, R. Colwill (Twose 63’), Conte, Ashford, Reindorf. Subs not used: Turner, Giles, T. Davies, Mafico, Wigley, Nyakuhwa.
Southampton: Lumley, Edwards (Akachukwu 86’), Bree, Wood, Fernandes (Bella-Kotchap 64’), Archer, Taylor ©, Edozie, Ugochukwu (Lallana 64’), Amo-Ameyaw, Dibling (O’Brien-Whitmarsh 90’). Subs not used: McCarthy, Manning, Larious, Robinson, Moore.