How they rated

BEN AMOS

Made a very smart stop early on to keep Cardiff ahead but rushed out and got nowhere near the ball for Barnsley’s third. A tough week for the Bolton loanee.

MATT CONNOLLY

Barnsley hammered his right hand side on the counter. Not all Connolly’s fault by any stretch of the imagination but not his best day either.

BRUNO MANGA

Cardiff’s most dependable defender, a soaring presence in the air who could have had a goal or two. Did little wrong at the back and looked up for the fight.

SEAN MORRISON (CAPT)

An excellent early goal and at the other end of the pitch when Barnsley did most of their damage. Not particularly imposing at the back despite his titanic presence in the opposition box.

LEE PELTIER

He and Connolly were the two defenders caught out on the counter. They didn’t have the support they needed and were quickly overwhelmed by Barnsley’s impressive transition.

ARON GUNNARSSON

Steady and showed some very good touches on the ball. His game is evolving all the time and he is irreplaceable now.

PETER WHITTINGHAM

A sumptuous strike pulled Cardiff back into it and another one almost levelled the scores. A trademark corner to put his side ahead. Exposed on the counter but as pivotal as ever.

CRAIG NOONE

A really difficult day for Noone who couldn’t find the end product and despite his work-rate, protect his right-back at the other end. Consistency lacking this season.

JUNIOR HOILETT

Gentle applause when substituted demonstrated a lively display in which the winger got in the right areas a lot of the time. Two big, big misses, however.

ANTHONY PILKINGTON

An excellent through ball for Hoilett should have made the difference with the scores level at 1-1. Took his goal well and Number Ten looks to be his best role.

SUBSTITUTES

Kadeem Harris (for Noone 62), Rickie Lambert (Hoilett 74). Not used: Wilson, Bennett, O’Keefe, Immers, Ralls

YELLOW CARDS

Cardiff: Noone (45) Barnsley: Yiadom (42), Davies (53), Morsy (87)

REFEREE

Tony Harrington (Cleveland)

ATTENDANCE

14,754

BARNSLEY

Davies, Bree, Roberts, Macdonald, Scowen, Hourihane, Morsy, Kent (Watkins 77), Yiadom, Bradshaw (Williams 90), Winnall. Subs not used: Townsend, Evans, Jackson, Kpekawa, Payne