How Cardiff rated

ALEX SMITHIES

Paterson’s goal came via a mishit kick from Smithies, which invited pressure on to Cardiff. He made a terrific save to deny Piroe, but Paterson followed up with a stunner. Kicking was poor again.

SEAN MORRISON (CAPT)

Struggled to get across and stop the pacy Laird for Bidwell’s goal. Just not playing his best football at the minute and it’s hard to put your finger on why. Looks worryingly off the pace at present.

ADEN FLINT

Another who didn’t do anything especially wrong. Could he have come out to block Paterson? Perhaps, but Bacuna holds more of the blame for that. Probably the best of those at the back.

CURTIS NELSON

Made a couple of bone-crunching challenges. Might have got away with a penalty shout after he appeared to hack down Ethan Laird in the box early doors, though.

CIARON BROWN

Defensively he was actually OK. Solid in the air and made some crucial tackles, but his pace was exposed by the speedy Laird on the odd occasion. Played Piroe onside for the second goal. Added nothing going forward.

MARLON PACK

Didn’t have the impact he would have liked. The game just seemed to pass him by without him making any sort of meaningful contribution. The midfield was overrun. Disappointing.

JOE RALLS

A little bit erratic from the midfielder, but at least he added some oomph in the middle of the park early on. Put in a few tough tackles and looked the most likely midfielder to advance the ball up the pitch.

LEANDRO BACUNA

Should have done more to close down Paterson for his strike on goal. Linked up a couple of times with Moore early in the first half, but faded badly thereafter. Booked, then went off injured.

KIEFFER MOORE

Probably Cardiff’s best player while they enjoyed a bit of success early on. Provided the visitors with some semblance of a platform from which to mount attacks. Got battered and bruised with a few heavy collisions but won free-kicks, too.

RYAN GILES

The one player to get Cardiff fans off their feet, albeit rarely. Had one gilt-edged chance but he spurned his one-on-one effort, scuffing it into Ben Hamer’s hands. Anonymous in the second half, though.

STAR MAN MARK MCGUINNESS

A generally assured performance from the out-ofposition wing-back. Used his body to good effect in attack and defence but on the odd occasion got done by a ball slipped in behind him.