Football: City's front men go on strike

Cardiff 0

Cambridge 0

Cardiff gave a shocking display little better than parks pitch standard as their inept strikers sparked a furious reaction from the fans.

And the Bluebirds couldn't even force a winner in the final seconds after the 90th-minute dismissal of U's striker Jamie Barnwell for persistent dissent after a free-kick.

With fans of both sides screaming for a goal, Cardiff's defensive frailty at corners was exposed.

Paul Raynor's corner was met by Colin Foster's fierce header, but City captain Scott Young cleared off the goal-line with keeper Tony Elliott beaten.

Both teams constantly gave away hard-earned possession, but striker Jimmy Gardner tried to raise City's hopes in the 36th minute.

His low cross eluded everyone in the six-yard box, including Simon Haworth and Carl Dale.

However, before half-time Cardiff twice came close within three minutes.

First, Haworth curled a left-foot shot just past a post from 20 yards. Then Jason Fowler set up Dale with a defence-splitting pass.

Dale smashed in a first-time shot, but it was blocked brilliantly by keeper Scott Barrett at the expense of a corner.

Cambridge brought Elliott into action repeatedly after the interval with a series of high crosses, but Elliott handled confidently.

David Preece replaced Ian Ashbee and City's top scorer Steve White came on for Gardner, but they still couldn't make the breakthrough.

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