Cardiff City Manage A Draw Away At Leeds United

Cardiff City secured a 1-1 draw away at Leeds United after taking the lead in an even first half, before ending up happy with a share of the spoils after the home side bossed the second half. Overall, a fair result and decent job done by the Bluebirds away from home.

The Bluebirds certainly created the first chance when good build up play saw Gunnarson`s 20-yard low shot well saved by Rachubka. However, ex-CCFC man Ross McCormack caused problems and was ridiculously fouled on the touchline by Hudson, Marshall produced a stunning stop to save Keogh`s header from the resulting free-kick.

On the quarter hour, some neat passing nearly set Joe Mason in on goal only for some woeful defending by Darren O`Dea to gift the ball 10 yards out to the young Irishman who cut inside and his half-blocked shot fell neatly into the net.

Leeds responded well to conceding and went close via a Snodgrass header and blocked shot in quick succession before Aron Gunnarsson nearly got something on a Cowie free-kick at the back post. Tom Lees later did connect with a Snodgrass corner but his header looped over Marshall`s crossbar. Hudson then atoned for his earlier misdemeanour by solidly blocking first McCormack`s and then Jonny Howson`s shots on goal right on the stroke of half-time.



ith the second half only 5 minutes old, David Marshall was alert to beat away a powerful Snodgrass effort and the punch clear a dangerous Howson cross as Leeds pushed forward. Marshall then was at full stretch to deny McCormack`s low effort after a rapid breakaway from the hosts.

City were finding it difficult to create anything meaningful, with only a dangerous but well defended Whittingham cross and potshot in the final third. Leeds were dominating possession, and again found Marshall on form to tip over a dipping Clayton effort. The same player went very close just moments after when his attempt was clear. Marshall`s fantastic save from the resulting corner to deny Howson was just one moment of a string of impressive contributions from the Scottish goalkeeper.

However the pressure finally paid off for the home side when Snodgrass edged in front of Hudson to poke home a free-kick and restore parity for Leeds United. Tom Lees could have gained the lead for his side but failed to make contact with a teasing Lloyd Sam cross when well placed.

The Bluebirds came incredibly close to snatching the points, when Gunnarsson so nearly converted Hudson`s header at the far post, but Adie White did brilliantly to clear for the Whites. However, it turned out to be a creditable away point against a good side and Cardiff City must travel home satisfied.

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