Bruno Ecuele Manga’s 18th minute goal saw Cardiff City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium. The defender nodded home Peter Whittingham’s corner at the near post with Town rarely seriously threatening to find a reply.

Daryl Murphy, Cole Skuse and Luke Hyam returned to the Town side with Brett Pitman and Jonathan Douglas dropping to the bench, while Kevin Foley, who was suffering with bruised ribs after the Bolton game, wasn’t in the 18.

Michael Crowe, who was called back from his loan spell at Braintree earlier in the week, was also amongst the subs with second-choice keeper Dean Gerken unwell.

Cardiff were without their first-choice keeper David Marshall due to a virus and Simon Moore started in his place. Former Blues academy schoolboy Stuart O’Keefe was named in the Bluebirds’ midfield.

The Blues started with Murphy and Sears as a front two with Kevin Bru and Ben Pringle in narrow roles on the right and left respectively of a four-man midfield.

Town were again in their orange third kit, while keeper Bartosz Bialkowski was asked by the referee to change from his green shirt to a yellow one before kick-off - leaving him in the unfortunate combination of a yellow shirt and green shorts - with Cardiff stand-in keeper Moore also wearing green.

Sears struck the game’s first shot in the fifth minute after he battled for a Murphy flick-on. Moore blocked the strike not overly confidently but claimed the loose ball.

On eight Skuse blocked from O’Keefe on the edge of the box but it was the Blues who had made the better start to the game.

There was a scare for Cardiff keeper Moore in the 16th minute when he failed to hold on to Pringle’s corner from the left. The ball was stabbed out to Bru but the Mauritius international was unable to get to it and committed a foul as he looked to do so.

Two minutes later the home side went in front via their first significant attempt of the game.

Whittingham sent over a corner from the left and the unmarked Manga met it at the near post and directed his header past Bialkowski.

After the goal the game returned to its previous pattern of the Blues taking the game to Cardiff. On 23 Christophe Berra headed Pringle’s right-sided corner wide at the far post when the Scotland international clearly thought he might have hit the target.

Soon after, Cardiff had a spell of pressure after Town were unable to clear from a corner, but Murphy then won a flag-kick at the other end, which was returned to Pringle, who sent over a dangerous cross just beyond his team-mates in the area.

Following a spell of Town possession on the right, Murphy headed a Luke Chambers cross wide in the 35th minute.

A minute later, Whittingham whipped in a dangerous freekick from deep on the left which Murphy just managed to divert away from Matthew Connolly in space behind him.

The Blues continued to press and on 40 Moore was forced to punch when under pressure after the home defence had repeatedly failed to clear following a Pringle freekick deep on the left. Soon after, the keeper claimed from Murphy from a Pringle corner on the right.

The Blues were unable to threaten in one minute of added on time and went in at the break rather harshly 1-0 down.

Town had been on top for much of a not hugely enthralling half, however, without overly testing Cardiff deputy keeper Moore, aside from Sears’s early strike and one or two crosses.

While the Blues hadn’t made enough of their set pieces - they had won six corners as well as a couple of freekicks in dangerous areas - the home side had only really presented any threat from theirs, most notably Whittingham’s corner which led to the goal.

Town switched Bru for Brett Pitman ahead of the start of the second half with Sears moving to right midfield.

Neither side created anything of note until the 56th minute when Bialkowski sent the Blues away on a counter-attack following a Cardiff corner.

Pitman flicked on Hyam’s cross from the right to Pringle, who screwed his shot into the side-netting from a decent position on the left of the area.

Town weren’t too far away from an equaliser in the 59th minute when Sears was allowed to reach a long ball from the left. The striker steered the ball past the advancing Moore, but Scott Malone cleared from inside the six-yard box.

The Blues were starting to look more threatening and a minute later Pitman struck a shot from distance which deflected wide.

Town kept the ball for long spells but without creating a further opening, then on 66 Malone broke away for Cardiff after exchanging passes with Lex Immers and hit a shot which flew not too far over Bialkowski’s crossbar.

Three minutes later, Whittingham curled a low 20-yard freekick to Bialkowski’s right, which the keeper claimed comfortably.

Luke Varney replaced Pringle in the 72nd minute, while Whittingham limped off for the home side and Aron Gunnarsson took over.

Sears, now on the left, saw a shot blocked after he cut into the area after exchanging passes with Jonas Knudsen following a corner then Bialkowski tipped Anthony Pilkington’s looping header over from Joe Ralls’s corner on the right.

From the subsequent flag-kick the former Canary went close again, Tommy Smith perhaps getting a touch on the ball just prior to the Irish international connecting with a volley which flew well into the stand behind the goal.

Moore allowed a Sears freekick from the left to slip through his hands and out of play on 79, then five minutes later Murphy shot over from the right with the Blues still unable to create a clear-cut opening.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles took over from Smith for the final two and a half minutes as the Blues continued to look in vain for the equaliser.

Town continued to push during four minutes of injury time - Sears saw an effort blocked during a goalmouth scramble - but, as for most of the rest of the half, rather unconvincingly and referee Andrew Madley’s whistle confirmed the Blues’ defeat.

Having gone in behind after the first half, Town had a lot of the ball after the break but largely huffed and puffed and were unable find a way through a solid Cardiff defence.

The Blues probably deserved something from the game on the balance of play but created too few clear-cut opportunities, while the home side took their one real chance, which from a Town perspective was very preventable.

The defeat and results elsewhere see the Blues stay eighth but now four points behind Sheffield Wednesday - who won 3-0 at Nottingham Forest - in sixth, although still with a game in hand.

That match is Blackburn’s visit to Portman Road on Tuesday with Rotherham - who came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Derby today - in Suffolk next Saturday.

Cardiff: Moore, Peltier, Connolly, Manga, Malone, Noone, O’Keefe, Ralls, Whittingham (Gunnarsson 73), Pilkington (c) (Dikgacoi 83), Immers. Unused: Wilson, Morrison, Ameobi, Zahore.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith (Maitland-Niles 88), Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Hyam, Bru (Pitman 46), Pringle (Varney 72), Sears, Murphy. Unused: Crowe, Digby, Tabb, Douglas. Referee: Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 15,175.

Photo: Action Images

Lightningboy added 00:04 - Mar 13 Let's face it - we are nowhere near good enough to get promoted and who wants to go up playing this wretched "style" of football anyway?..I certainly don't,it's absolute drivel..our club has gone so far backwards over the last 8 years..we've got a decent squad but unfortunately we don't have a manager capable of getting them to play decent football (or too stubborn to try).

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hkbluey added 00:56 - Mar 13 Can someone remind Murphy what he is paid to do..... He needs to be dropped, even one of the youth team strikers would show more effort...... Murphy and the lack of McGoldy have cost us huge this season.......
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Dissboyitfc added 07:33 - Mar 13 I dont want us to keep nearly achieving, playing this dreadful rubbish. I would prefer,r even on our limited budget to play proper football and end up mid table or below so Evans and the Board can see we need to spend money to take it to the next step. Because what is happening here is Evans and co are seeing us so close to the play-offs without spending and having given his predecessors money which was in the main waisted, probably dont see the need to spend. So please MM play football the ipswich way ( if you can) and let the board see we are not good enough, instead of the dreadful crap i have witnessed on too many occasions that really isnt going to take us anywhere other than backwards, or at best sidewards.

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essex57 added 07:43 - Mar 13 Presba I rest my case how can you down mark me and agree with exactly the same post by another poster very strange and may I add a tadd childish. Sproughtonblue bluetone warktheline greentractorboy Sheptonmallet blue does that mean you didn't think much of the Co commentator or you are in the same group as Presba
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Elizabeth added 08:31 - Mar 13 What a difference a few days makes in football ! Just knew that MM's " favourite" player would have to be included yesterday .. WHY ? More of the same old garbage !! Slowly losing interest now after being a loyal fan since 1970 ! Like so many of you I was lucky enough to witness the glory days. Two home games now , so let's see where we sit at this time next week ! Roller coaster season continues !! 💤💤💤

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yorksblue added 08:33 - Mar 13 Looking fwd to playing budgies. However, not looking fwd to seeing them walk the league next season
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Dissboyitfc added 08:45 - Mar 13 The funny thing with football is people will continue to put up with crap, because they think thats how to support a team. In reality the club needs to know when things are not good enough. I mean lets face it, you dont say to the waitress, "that was lovely, pass on my compliments to the chef" if it was crap, but then again some might, because that is exactly what is happening when people sing out, super Mick Macarthy, after another poor display.

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Dissboyitfc added 08:51 - Mar 13 People spend lots of time and money following ITFC. I wonder If M.E is happy when he spends his money on sub standard quality, i expect the answer is no. Big difference is he can afford it, so many town fans spend a huge majority of their wages following the town.
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essex57 added 09:12 - Mar 13 I wasn't at the game but according to the commentary (kemp)we were much better with Murphy back he does a lot off the ball he draws defenders away and also holds the ball up well it was down to him that we scored the goal at Huddersfield. We are still in with a shout of the play offs I can't understand why people keep beating themselves and others up its a miracle we are where we are with our best creative players injured for most of the season,in fact nothing has changed in the past 45 years how many times were we denied the Div 1 title because of injuries in the 70,s we are a small town Club that have always punched above our weight get behind the boys and let's get 3pts Tuesday.

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Dissboyitfc added 10:10 - Mar 13 Essex57...A proper post, i even agree with some of what you say, just not all of it!
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TimmyH added 10:29 - Mar 13 yep better post @essex57 - I'm not sure we're a small town club punching above our wait as we currently stand in the Championship so I have to disagree with you there - in fact with our resources, stadium and History we are one of the bigger clubs in this division, maybe Premiership is a different story but saying that you could argue what are Bournemouth, Watford, Palace, Swansea and Naaarrrccchhh doing there then?

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portmanteau added 10:47 - Mar 13 forget the present its too depressing. just dwell on the past, the 7 win run in the prem when we nearly stayed up, Inter milan , arsenal... thats about it.
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essex57 added 12:49 - Mar 13 Nice one Toronto tractor however if he/her and I were the last two on a sinking lifeboat with one lifebelt I wouldn't offer it to Prebsad he complains about being down marked by me I only do it because him and his like spout on about opinions yea great if you agree with there's but get slated if you don't. Still each to their own. P's he's not to bad at down marking
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jas0999 added 12:56 - Mar 13 Disappointing result and performance. We set our stall out right from the outset. Be delighted with a 0-0. We know that Skuse/Hyam is one of the most negative central combinations in English football. That midfield lacks the quality, goals and creativity necessary for promotion. We got luck at Huddersfield, edged a poor Forest side, then threw away a two goal lead at Bolton - who in fairness were unlucky not to beat us. Yesterday our luck ran out. We simply aren't good enough. However, we have some easy looking home fixtures, so you never know. Derby are faltering again. Could be an interesting final game of the season.

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Elto added 13:17 - Mar 13 Aside from the goal the match was totally devoid of anything worth remarking upon. Nothing happened. I hope you enjoyed my report.
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phillo added 13:24 - Mar 13 guentchev losing is never an "acceptable result" .... sorry.
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MicksZzzTactics added 13:31 - Mar 13 Exactly jas! We simply -- on paper at least! -- "ought to" win ALL our remaining home games! Which of course includes 4 games against 4 of the current bottom 5 teams!!! .... plus a couple against teams who likely really no longer have much to play for i.e. they might not be mathematically save just yet, but barring a complete point-less meltdown the rest of the way, close to practically save when we face them! (Should this happen the "In The Dinosaur We Trust" brigade here would more than likely not only demand all ITFC fans referring to Mick as "The Genius" in future posts, but also demand a statue raised of Mick downtown!!! :-) lol .... ever though that imho a possible 6 home wins out of THOSE exact 6 by NO means have to be "credited" to Mick's skills as a manager (or a tactician!!!) but probably rather just the "random FORTUNATE bounce" of the ever soooo prolonged HoofBalling + of course the rather week quality of the opposition, even though they need points just as bad us, at the other end of the table.) Away we have to first go to Molineux, usually a tough place to get all 3 points, however Wolves are clearly not the team the were for the better part of last season and have trouble scoring multiple times in a game too, especially since the sale of their talented topscorer this winter. Then it gets real tough i.e. Sheffield, Middlesborough and Derby (on the final day )... all teams very likely to remain in the top 2-6(7) contending group through season's end! Sooooo yep the season is by NO means over for dire boring Hoof Town just yet, folks! ............ Even though many disillusioned/fed-up fans -- including myself -- think it really "ought to be" based purely on recent performance and the quality (or rather lack hereof!!!!!!!!) of our football under Mick The Dinosaur!

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RaymondovicBlue added 14:06 - Mar 13 Using just watched the highlights I think I may owe Berra's an apology .... it looked like Murphy who didn't challenge his man for the free heat goal. ... not Berra But still. ... if the squad seemingly can't train how to create and score goals...can we at least expect them to know how to defend them...please?
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cats_whiskers added 14:07 - Mar 13 Essex 57 is the only one Who be outside in the sunshine And not cast a shadow As even that has deserted him
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RaymondovicBlue added 14:08 - Mar 13 Plus...what do you expect from the blues when the keeper is forced to wear a Norwich kit?????? I know the club is struggling in many ways..... but that takes is to an ever new low. Who on earth thought that would be a good idea? ??? 😨😲😱
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prebsa added 14:43 - Mar 13 Now that's not very nice is it Essex57. We may disagree on almost everything to do with Town but I wouldent wish on you to drown like you do me. I actually hope you are very well and healthy!
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alfromcol added 15:03 - Mar 13 Just a thought If you were one of a number of players in the current squad and taking home a few thousand pound a week. Would you seriously want to get Town promoted to the premiership knowing there was a good chance that promotion would mean you lost your job/place in the squad. Just a thought
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Elto added 15:50 - Mar 13 Birmingham managed a single shot on target in their derby match today. Seems they are trying to avoid promotion as well. Championship football generally is really poor. Not just ITFC. That's not a defence of our style, just an observation.
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TimmyH added 16:59 - Mar 13 Agree that Wolves v Birmingham game was poor for 2 different reasons in each half - the 1st both teams particularly Birmingham forgot what they were on the pitch for (to try and put the ball in the oppositions net) and the 2nd for the typical lack of qualty in front of goal (again Birmingham) - at least the 2nd half was fairly entertaining.
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Pip50 added 17:05 - Mar 13 Sh@t could be a Arsenal fan all them millions and still going to win fu@k all. They need a muppet long ball merchant no tactics or idea manager anyone know one !
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