A single goal in front of the Grange End in the opening fifteen minutes was again the difference between Cardiff and Leicester on Wednesday night, though this time it was the Foxes who were left smiling as they progressed to the last sixteen of the Carling Cup at our expense.

Nils Eric Johansson after eleven minutes scored the only goal of a game that showed little resemblance to the weekends six shooters. The Bluebirds looking tired throughout and unable to really get going until Ferretti came on late with a few chances.

We now are left out of the running for Carling Cup glory. We'll look out of the corner of our eye at who the Foxes get next, with perhaps a small element of jealousy. The focus now returns to the Championship - waiting in the wings this Saturday are league leaders Sheffield United.

As known, Michael Ricketts was ineligible for inclusion due to a previous round with Leeds. In his place was Alan Lee to partner Cameron Jerome.

Other differences in the eleven that beat Crewe 6-1 were in goal and on the wing. Martyn Margetson was in to deputise for Neil Alexander, who returned the favour with a place on the bench. Paul Parry also made a start in place of Kevin Cooper.

For Leicester, there was no Hume due to a previous Cup run and exit with former club Tranmere. de Vries was an injury concern before the game and took up a place on the bench. More changes also came from Leicester's win over Coventry. Paul Henderson was in for Rab Douglas, while Alan Maybury replaced Stearman at the back.

The Bluebirds didn't have a great opening forty five minutes, with only a few half chances - mainly Jason Koumas free kicks, though none presented a danger for Henderson.

The first attempt of note for either came after six minutes of even play. Alan Lee managed to climb well in the Foxes penalty area in front of the Canton stand and try for a header at Henderson. His header was well taken under pressure, though looped over the bar and out of danger.

Leicester then looked to get their own chance a minute later. Elvis Hammond made well of a ball to turn and hit low at Margetson - the Welsh 'keeper managed to palm the ball out for a corner.

Despite Glenn Loovens managing to clear the initial delivery for a corner from the other side, Leicester managed to pull ahead from the resulting delivery. Johansson opened the scoring with a glancing header to hit the back of the net and send the four hundred or so Leicester fans wild.

Cardiff 0 - 1 Leicester (11 mins)

City looked to immediately break back with a run of their own, though Cameron Jerome was cut down by Johansson. With Jerome off receiving temporary attention, Jason Koumas attempted a similar free kick to the last round, though hit the wall.

The goal gave Leicester the better of the game for the next ten minutes, though neither team looked overly dangerous in the final third. The Bluebirds for some reason looked a little less cohesive than seen in recent games and were left chasing for the most part.

It took until almost the half hour mark for City to start stringing some passes and possession together. Jason Koumas and Cameron Jerome looked our most promising prospects without really penetrating. The use of the long ball tactic was being well read by the Foxes defence as they soaked up the brief spell of pressure without too much concern.

The first half continued to a low standard. Elvis Hammond was lucky not to be booked for a second reckless tackle on Darren Purse after thirty seven minutes, though nothing else of note occurred.

With forty one minutes on the clock, Cardiff won tow quick successive corners of their own, though unlike the Foxes presented no danger to Henderson's goal.

Before the break, Jason Koumas tried another free kick, but to no joy. Like with the last round it seemed Dave Jones needed a quick word or two in the ears of his under performing Bluebirds.

Half Time: Cardiff 0 - 1 Leicester

No changes were made after the interval.

City made an instant start as Leicester kicked off, stealing the ball for Alan Lee to run wide down the right and cross well, low into the area. A rare error in footwork for the on running Jerome saw the ball lost under his feet only six yard out however - a great move dying that would have turned the game on its head.

The tempo, passion and possession missing from Cardiff in the first half continued. City looked to have brought Paul Parry forward to add more of an attacking edge to play. Jason Koumas then delivered a dangerous ball for Henderson to punch wide for a corner.

For Leicester, it was Hammond who continued to look their most dangerous. His runs on the left caused Rhys Weston some problems, though he found it difficult to break through for the final ball.

With Just before the hour, Alan Lee was clipped in the box - the ball going out off the Foxes defence. A few half hearted cries from the Grange End for a penalty were ignored by referee Williamson as he pointed to the corner and not the spot.

The Bluebirds faithful were given something positive to see after sixty minutes as Paul Parry did well to turn and despatch a powerful shot at goal. Henderson was called to dive and save - the best chance we'd seen yet.

Joe Ledley then showed some magic ten minutes later with a cross, come shot that came narrowly close to fading in. At this moment we would have taken it.

With twenty minutes on the clock, Neil Ardley was introduced for Rhys Weston as Dave Jones switched to three across the back. The attacking options expanded. Less than five minutes later, de Vries as expected was introduced up front for Dion Dublin.

As the game began to close down, the City fans became more frustrated with the lack of creativity. Dave Jones looked to address this with the introduction up front of Andrea Ferretti, on for Paul Parry. Cardiff now had three strikers on the field, looking to net some return in the final seven minutes.

Chances were there for Cardiff, though none were well taken. Alan Lee firstr missed a great chance to rise and head home in front of goal. Then, with three minutes of normal time remaining Ferretti managed an effort of his own, though Henderson was equal and tipped the ball low and wide.

With a minute remaining Ferretti could have made an instant name with another shot at goal, though again was denied for a corner.

After three minutes of stoppage time Ferretti then tried again to give hope to the Ninian Park faithful. It seemed though that his efforts were destined to miss regardless. The striker having more chances on goal than his strike partners had managed all night.

The Bluebirds now have to look to the FA Cup as a possible fundraiser and route to the Millennium, though can take solace that no pints were dropped on the night. The focus can now return to the league and what we hope will be a return to form.

With leaders Sheffield United waiting on the weekend however, we know that we'll need our Championship form rather than the indifferent display from the Carling Cup run.

Full Time: Cardiff 0 - 1 Leicester

Attendance: 8,727

Cardiff: Margetson, Barker, Whitley, Purse (c), Koumas, Lee, Jerome, Parry, Weston, Loovens, Ledley

Subs: Alexander, Darlington, Cox, Ardley, Ferretti

Leicester City: Henderson, Maybury, McCarthy, Williams, Dublin, Tiatto (c), Johansson, Gudjonsson, Hammond, Hamill, Gerrbrand.

Subs: Douglas, Kisnorbo, Sylla, de Vries, Sheehan.