Swansea 2-2 Cardiff: Red card costs Cardiff victory

Boss Dave Jones said captain Stephen McPhail's sending-off cost Cardiff victory in a fiery South Wales derby.

The Bluebirds were leading rivals Swansea 2-1 when McPhail picked up a second yellow card for kicking the ball away on 51 minutes.

It was his second derby sending-off after being shown two yellows in September's Carling Cup meeting between the two clubs, which the Swans won 1-0.

"That was a lack of discipline from Stephen and it probably cost us three points today," said Jones.

"I think he felt it was his ball but you can't kick the ball away."

Jones was critical of referee Martin Atkinson, who cautioned four other players and also sent off Swansea's Leon Britton in injury time for a second bookable offence.

"I think he gave some cards that were unwarranted and I think he missed some and should have got the cards out once or twice for both sets of players," Jones added.

"What I think he tried to do was dish out yellow cards to try and keep the tempo down but he inflamed it because he frustrated my players and Roberto's (Martinez) players.

"But the game was a great advert for Welsh football."

Swansea had the better of the opening period, controlling possession and deservedly taking the lead on 19 minutes.

Striker Jason Scotland beat the offside trap down the right and cut back for Darren Pratley to fire home his fourth goal of the season from 12 yards.

Cardiff then managed to get a foothold in the game and started to look more attacking as they enjoyed their share of possession. Three minutes before the break Wayne Routledge curled a cross in from the right and home keeper Dorus de Vries punched straight into the path of Joe Ledley, who snatched at it and fired off target.

But right on half-time Cardiffborn Ledley got the Bluebirds level when Swansea only half cleared a Routledge corner and he drove through a crowd of players from 20 yards.

Cardiff started the second half as they finished the first by scoring. Michael Chopra was tripped just inside the box by Fede Bessone and Ross McCormack sent de Vries the wrong way from the spot.

But the Bluebirds were hit by McPhail's sending-off on 51 minutes and Swan sea made an inspired double substitution eight minutes later.

Spanish striker Gorka Pintado and local boy Shaun MacDonald came on and combined within two minutes for the equaliser.

MacDonald's outswinging corner from the right was met by Pintado who sent the ball into top right-hand corner to claim his third strike of the season.

And moments later, MacDonald slipped the ball into the box but the outstretched Pintado could not nudge the ball past Peter Enckelmanin the Cardiff goal.

Swansea were back in the ascendancy and Enckelman pulled off a great save from Pintado after Angel Rangel had an effort blocked by Roger Johnson.

Enckelman was called into action again late on, saving from Mark Gower as the visitors held on before Britton was sent off in injury time.

"I'm not pleased with the result, but I am pleased with the performance and the way the players reacted," said Swansea boss Martinez. "For me, it is two points dropped.

"To concede a goal just before half-time and straight after is a huge, huge test of character and I'm delighted with the way we responded.

"Today everyone in South Wales has to be proud."

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