Honours even between Cardiff City and Blackpool as the Bluebirds edge closer to survival in the Championship

Young Cardiff City wing-back Joel Bagan bagged his third goal in as many games to rescue a point for the Bluebirds in a classic game of two halves encounter at a windswept Cardiff City Stadium.

Home boss Steve Morison started with the in-form strike pairing of Jordan Hugill and Isaak Davies upfront against Blackpool.

Tangerines boss Neil Critchley was pleased to welcome back skipper Marvin Ekpiteta following his recent injury but was still missing key men Richard Keogh (calf injury) and James Husband (hamstring).

A teasing cross from Bluebirds wing-back Cody Drameh brought a smart save from goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw on six minutes as the windy conditions gave both teams plenty to contemplate.

Ekpiteta delivered the perfect boost for the Seasiders after 10 minutes though, heading firmly past Alex Smithies in the home goal. Suddenly, that long journey to South Wales did not feel quite so far for the jubilant Tangerine Army.

The goal clearly settled the visitors as they took control. Charlie Kirk soon brought a fine save from Smithies who tipped over his curling effort. Drameh responded with a typical dash up the flank but there was no striker quite on the end of it.

The opening third had been short of excitement as the composed visitors stuck resolutely to their task. For all their chasing and pressing, the Bluebirds were unable to exert an influence on the game.

Ekpiteta symbolised the visitors’ resistance by snuffing out the hustling attentions of young Davies as the home side continued to look second best. With a rare chance for the hosts, Hugill nodded his effort over from close range.

Cardiff showed plenty of endeavour but a lack of composure and quality in the final third had held them back. Welsh international Will Vaulks tried hard to pull the strings in midfield, however, there was no end product for the Bluebirds.

The visitors belligerently retained their lead until the interval, despite offering little threat going forward. It had not been an easy watch.

Drameh continued to look the most likely threat for Cardiff and his early intervention in the second half led to a perfect opportunity which young Bagan gleefully rammed home. Astonishingly, this was the young wing-back’s third goal in as many games as the home support sang the praises of their new hero.

Cardiff were a different prospect after the goal, with Bagan and Drameh continuing to shine. The eye-catching Bagan almost fired home again on 57 minutes but struck his powerful drive wide.

The visitors also pressed forward as an exciting end-to-end tussle began, far removed from the uneventful opening exchanges.

Josh Bowler was in the thick of things as the Seasiders sought to regain the lead, however, he was shown a yellow card for simulation after his surging run was interrupted by former Blackpool loanee Ryan Wintle.

At the opposite end, young Davies was also sent to the ground as he closed in on goal but referee Darren Bond again saw no infringement.

Morison replaced Hugill with the imposing frame of Uche Ikpeazu after 70 minutes and you sensed that this robust encounter might prove ideal for the big man.

It was anyone’s game now as the Cardiff boss also introduced midweek goalscorer Mark Harris for the industrious Davies on 78 minutes.

Vaulks fired narrowly wide shortly afterwards as the physical presence of Ikpeazu gave a new dimension to the home side’s attacking options.

This lively encounter continued to entertain the enthusiastic crowd of 19,025 as neither side seemed content to settle for a point.

Bagan again went close in the final stages but Grimshaw parried his drive away for a corner. Ikpeazu continued to prove a handful right up to the final whistle but it ended all square.

The point may well be enough to ensure that both sides remain in the Championship next season as, despite disappointment amongst the home fans, a draw helps ease their club further from the relegation places.

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