THERE was another late change on the Burton Albion bench as Callum Reilly replaced the injured Stuart Beavon.
The rain poured down from the early afternoon and there was no signs of it stopping as the game kicked off which made it difficult for both teams to get a hold of the ball and dominate the game. The wet surface did make it harder for the men between the sticks as Stuart O'Keefe lined up a shot from distance which skidded off the turf but Jon McLaughlin did brilliantly to get down low to his left and stop the effort.GOAL: Top goal scorer Jackson Irvine added his 5th goal of the season just 12 minutes into the game! Chris O'Grady headed the ball into the box which Jamie Ward controlled well into the path of Irvine who swept it home from just inside the box (1-0).
The visitors responded to the goal as the put Burton under a spell of pressure, a spell in which the away fans had thought they'd scored when Craig Noone was through on goal but his low shot was deflected inches wide by the leg of McLaughlin.
Burton hearts were in mouths as Ben Turner committed to the tackle on Lex Immers inside the box, the winger went down under the tackle and the referee pointed, but he pointed for a goal kick..
The Brewers came close to a second just before half time through an unlikely source in Kyle McFadzean. Matty Palmer whipped in a corner form the right which skidded through the defenders and fell kindly for McFadzean who shot left-footed towards goal but it was just deflected over the bar!
Half time: Burton Albion 1-0 Cardiff City
GOAL: The Brewers came out strong in the second half and soon added a second through Lucas Akins! Matty Palmer whipped in a free kick from 35 yards which was met by the head of Kyle McFadzean before Lucas Akins headed it over the line at the back post (2-0)!
Jamie Ward was replaced by Will Miller just after the hour mark.
The Brewers really turned on the style in the second half and they started to string some great passing moves together. Will Miller broke away with the ball which resulted in Chris O'Grady taking a shot from isde the box, only to be watched wide by the goalkeeper, great positivity from Nigel Clough's men.
Tom Flanagan replaced Chris O'Grady with just under 15 minutes to go.
Jon McLaughlin didn't have much to do all game but when he was called upon he kept Cardiff at bay. Peter Whittingham received the ball in space on the edge of the box but his shot was saved low to McLaughlin's right.
Skipper John Mousinho was thrown on in the final minutes to clear up the loose balls, he replaced Hamza Choudhury.Â
Full time: Burton Albion 2-0 Cardiff City
Attendance: 4,426
Ash's man of the match: Jackson Irvine