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Last Update: 2 June, 2008 9:38 AM

24 January 2010
CARDIFF CITY 4 LEICESTER CITY 2

Wales Sport
Author: Chepstow Williams

CARDIFF CITY won a place in Sundays FA Cup fifth round draw with a much-improved performance over fellow Championship side Leicester.

Manager Dave Jones`s side overcame their crippling injury list to win a match which was an excellent advert for the Cup, but was only witnessed by just under eleven thousand fans.

Almost half the average for a Saturday afternoon Championship game. Cardiff manager Jones believed that fans are being hit by the recession.

“FA Cup games are not included in season ticket packages,” said Jones, and with games coming up on Saturdays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, Fridays, fans have to dig deep. I would pat all the fans on the back who came today. Hopefully,” said Jones “If we get further into the competition, then more of them might come along.”

Cardiff are in the fifth round but they were lucky to stay in the competition.

After some early Leicester pressure, Cardiff took control. They opened the scoring when Joe Ledley, who is beginning to return to his best form in recent weeks, won the ball in mid-field. He sent Michael Chopra scampering towards the right hand corner flag, where he crossed to the far post.

The ball was met perfectly by Jay Bothroyd, who`s header rocketed into the Leicester net. Cardiff were in control, but Leicester began to dominate the match again.

Their equaliser came from a free kick, with Paul Gallagher, renowned for his quality crossing, finding the unmarked Michael Morrison who`s glancing header from the edge of the six yard area found the back of the Cardiff net.

Five minutes later, Leicester captain Matt Oakley passed the ball into the path of Dany N`Guessan. The Frenchman held off the challenge of Paul Quinn, to give the visitors the lead.

Dave Jones said after the game “You often need that bit of luck and we got it with the free-kick.” That second half free kick was taken wide out on the right by Peter Whittingham who`s left footed effort found a way straight into the Leicester net.

The tie looked to be heading for a Walker stadium replay. The Foxes have scored five stoppage time goals this season, but two Scotsmen turned the tables on them.

With one of the four added minutes played, Cardiff were desperate to win the game. After goalkeeper David Marshall saved brilliantly from Yann Kermorgant, Cardiff broke and shots flew around the Leicester penalty area.

The ball fell to second half substitute Chris Burke who`s shot rocketed past Chris Weale. That would have been enough to win the game, but within a minute another Scotsman, Ross McCormack was on hand when another Burke shot was blocked by Weale, and McCormack put the result beyond doubt.

Jones was pleased with the win. “I turned to Terry (Burton, Cardiff coach) and said the last thing we need is a replay. The boys dug deep," he added. "Any team at home as long as they are not from our division,” was Jones`s hope for the fifth round.

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