The Sky Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat away against Cardiff City, after two second half goals coming from Joel Bagan and Mark Harris meant Mark Robins’ men left the Cardiff City Stadium empty handed.
The hosts created the first real chance of the game, a ball whipped in from the left wing was well-met by Max Watters, but his header was well kept out by Simon Moore.
The Sky Blues dominated posession in the early stages and nearlt forced the breakthrough 15 minutes in, Callum O’Hare picked up the ball inside his own half, drove deep into the Cardiff half and unleashed a shot from just outside the area, however it just went wide.
As both sides looked to control the ball, both keepers remained quiet untill City managed to apply some pressure in the final third, Ben Sheaf found Todd Kane in plenty of space down the right, however Jordan Shipley didn’t manage to make great connection with his header leaving an easy save for Alex Smithies.
Cardiff immidiatley looked to test Mark Robins men and Watters was played through one on one with Moore, but Moore produced an excellent block to deny the forward as the game remained goalless.
HALF-TIME: CARDIFF 0 - 0 SKY BLUES
The Bluebirds created the first chance on goal in the second half, a mazy run by Cody Drameh allowed him to slide in Cardiff substitute Jordan Hugill inside the area, but his shot was easily saved by Moore.
City began to see more of the ball in Cardiff’s half, and a bright run by Viktor Gyokeres saw the forward brought down on the edge of the area by Perry NG. The resulting free kick saw Kane drill an effort into the hosts wall.
As the Sky Blues looked to push for the opener, Robins brought on Martyn Waghorn in place of Jordan Shipley 65 minutes in, the forward soon had a chance from long range, but his hsot didn’t manage to trouble Smithies.
Cardiff managed to find the breakthrough in the 72nd minute, Bagan picked up the ball on the left wing, managed to cut inside onto his right and curl his effort into the far corner to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Gyokeres came close to restoring parity moments later, a pin-point cross by O’Hare allowed Gyokeres to head a powerful shot towards Smithies, but a great save denied City drawing level.
With City dominating the ball it was Gyokeres again who came closest to bringing the Sky Blues level, he used his strength well to create an opening outside the area, but his low driven shot went the wrong side of the post.
With City pressing hard for an equaliser the hosts managed to work a chance the 87th minute which saw substitute Harris create space in the box before placing his effort into the far corner making it 2-0 to see out the game.
FULL-TIME: CARDIFF 2-0 SKY BLUES
Attendence: 18,660.
Referee: John Busby
Yellows: Flint, Wintle, McFadzean.
Goalscorers: Bagan, Harris.
Cardiff City XI: Alex Smithies (GK), Mark McGuinness, Joel Bagan, Aden Flint ©, Will Vaulks, Ryan Wintle, Cody Drameh, Max Watters (Jordan Hugill 39’), Eli King (Tommy Doyle 55’), Perry NG, Isaak Davies (Mark Harris 80’).
Unusued Subs: Dillion Phillips (GK), Joe Ralls, Uche Ikpeazu, , Ollie Denham.
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Todd Kane (Ian Maatsen 75’), Dom Hyam ©, Michael Rose (Jake Clarke-Salter 57’), Kyle McFadzean, Jake Bidwell, Ben Sheaf, Jamie Allen, Jordan Shipley (Martyn Waghorn 65’), Callum O’Hare, Viktor Gyokeres.
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Jodi Jones, Ryan Howley, Fabio Tavares.