City Phil the pain!

Northampton 1

Cardiff 0

GOAL-SHY Cardiff failed to find the net for the fourth successive game, despite facing only 10 men for the last 25 minutes at Sixfields.

Northampton had goalkeeper Andy Woodman sent off for handling outside his area in the 65th minute, but coped magnificently against a Cardiff bombardment in the final 15 minutes.

From the free kick following Woodman's dismissal, Tony Philliskirk had an effort headed off the line.

And impressive Crystal Palace loan player Tony Scully also went close from a free kick.

But Cardiff failed to put enough pressure on stand-in goalkeeper Chris Burns, a midfield player, and Philliskirk wasted their best chance of salvaging a point when he dragged a close-range effort wide five minutes from time.

Gifted

Cardiff were almost gifted a fourth-minute lead when Woodman foolishly tried to dribble past Carl Dale just outside his box.

The ball fell invitingly for Scully 40 yards out with an empty goal to shoot at, but his intended chip lacked height and Ray Warburton blocked.

Northampton netted the all-important goal in the 20th minute from on- loan Sunderland man Gordon Armstrong.

Cardiff appeared to have seen off the danger when Neil Grayson hit a post and Armstrong's follow up was scrambled clear.

But a foul on Lee Maddison gave Northampton an 18-yard free-kick that Armstrong curled into the top far corner for a brilliant winner.

Woodman had to save at full length from both Scully and Nathan Wigg as Cardiff continued to look menacing but their lack of punch up front was to cost them dear.

David Williams in the Cardiff goal also performed heroics to keep out a blockbuster from Maddison near half-time, which arrived at the same time as a minor incident on the pitch involving a couple of rival fans.

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