Snapshot: The playoffs are still mathematically within reach, but will only be able to be managed if an upturn in form comes our way after a lacklustre display at Turf Moor.

Cardiff lost valuable ground in what will be remembered as a costly Easter calendar, losing by two goals to nil at the hands of a resurgent Burnley side. The goals came in each half, both hitting the back of the net in the first few minutes as Burnley exploited their visitors nerves to full effect. Former Crewe star Steve Jones was the first to take advantage minutes after kick-off, then on loan Norwich midfielder Paul McVeigh finding goal only three minutes into the second interval.

Of more concern than the goals however was the nature of play from the travelling Bluebirds; the once prolific side looking a shadow of their former selves, more akin to our bad winter spell. The nerves are unfortunately showing at precisely the wrong time if the playoffs are to be reached, let alone capitalised on as those around us look confident. Next up come Stoke at the start of a four game run in that could make or break our year.

Team News: Only one change was made to the personnel for the Burney game as Simon Walton's dismissal allowed Joe Ledley to move to his preferred central midfield birth. The opening at the back left by Ledley was been filled by Kevin McNaughton, with Chris Gunter coming in on the right.

Burnley were unchanged for their third successive game following an upturn in form and two consecutive wins over Plymouth and Birmingham.

Burnley: Jensen, Harley, Thomas, Caldwell, Duff, Jones, Djemba-Djemba, J O'Connor, Elliott, McVeigh Gray. Subs: Coyne, McCann, Spicer, Coughlan, Akinbiyi

Cardiff: Forde, Gunter, Purse, Johnson, McNaughton, Ledley, McPhail, Whittingham, Parry, Chopra, Feeney. Subs: Alexander, Blake, Thompson, Green, Flood

Chronological Report: The pressure of our requirements clearly came into play in the opening five minutes, as Burnley continued their resurgence of the last seven days to take an early advantage. Former Crewe player Steve Jones set loose by Andy Gray was the Clarets player to make the most of a Kevin McNaughton mistake to cut inside and drill a right foot shot to the bottom right corner, leaving Forde no chance to save and make our job that much harder.

GOAL: BURNLEY 1 - 0 CARDIFF. Jones, 3 mins

Despite the early setback, Cardiff did find a way to rally after conceding - the goal perhaps taking the edge of their nerves to let the real work begin. More possession was then held by the visitors, with a sixth minute shot wide our best chance from Joe Ledley and a penalty area push on Warren Feeney dismissed by the referee.

The match continued without any major incidents as Cardiff continued to press without bringing Chopra or Feeney anything to feed off - an all too similar statement from recent times. Whittingham came closest after sixteen minutes by meeting a cleared corner with a volley over the bar.

Steve Jones was keen to test Chris Gunter with a number of targeted runs on the teenager. His enthusiasm resulted in the first yellow card of the match for the goal-scorer following a foul on our Academy player after nineteen minutes. Less than a minute later Jones aimed to answer the negativity with a run on the left and a delivery to Gray - Gray heading the ball onto the bar while seemingly covered by Forde.

The first half continued to frustrate based on our inability to turn possession and any build up play into something solid. Half chances came including a second successive Roger Johnson header cleared off the line, but apart from that Cardiff looked anxious in the final third. Burnley in contrast were relaxed whenever on the ball, looking more dangerous on the break.

Andy Gray was booked towards the end of the opening half for a culmination of fouls, the deciding tackle on Roger Johnson and the decision angering the home support. One minute of added time was allowed, but no further incidents came. Results elsewhere at the same time were disappointing and set to leave us in tenth place unless we could turn things around.

HALF TIME: BURNLEY 1 - 0 CARDIFF

No doubt the Cardiff half time team talk was aimed to result in an early second half goal. Unfortunately for us an early goal did come, but for our visitors via Paul McVeigh in less time than the first half opener had taken. McVeigh was well presented by Wade Elliott and despatched a shot to the top corner to perhaps signal the end of our playoff ambitions for another season.

GOAL: BURNLEY 2 - 0 CARDIFF. McVeigh, 48 mins

The City players also looked as if their season had prematurely ended, continuing with more wayward passing which rarely troubled the comfortable Clarets. In order to shake things up Dave Jones introduced Newport youngster Matt Green for Warren Feeney after fifty five minutes.

Little action continued to come our way due to Burnley under no pressure to add to their tally. Cardiff's inability to break forward and test Jensen forced Jones to make two further changes in the space of four minutes. Darcy Blake came on for Paul Parry, while Peter Whittingham made room for Steve Thompson.

City rallied but without anything to make an away goal look a possibility - although the ball did eventually find the back of the net after eighty four minutes as Roger Johnson knocked in a Michael Chopra free-kick moments after the flag was correctly shown for offside.

Despite the effort it was Burnley who finished more brightly - the final whistle coming to signal our fourth consecutive defeat, signalling an even bigger ask for a playoff possibility as we fall to our lowest position of the season behind Colchester.

Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Thomas, Caldwell, Harley, Elliott(87 Akinbiyi), Djemba-Djemba, O'Connor, Jones, McVeigh (76 McCann), Gray (90 Spicer)

Cardiff: Forde, McNaughton, Purse, Johnson, Ledley, Whittingham (73 Thompson), McPhail, Gunter, Parry (68 Blake), Chopra, Feeney (56 Green)

Report: Barrie McAuliffe