Snapshot: Cardiff stayed sixth by virtue of the alphabet on Saturday on a day that was effectively null and void with other results going mainly the same way. The match at Coventry's Ricoh Arena was a surreal encounter, as many fans present from both camps no doubt finding more to discuss on the way home in connection with Graham Poll than the players on the pitch.

Coventry were the early contenders, making good use of an excellent Misfud who targeted Joe Ledley at the back. Misfud after only seven minutes forced an error from the makeshift defender, tricking his way through and then crossing for Leon McKenzie to fire home.

The match was going the way of the home team, as City were vulnerable at the back. Following a few half chances for both however, City went into the break level thanks to a penalty decision from Poll that incensed the home fans - Michael Chopra coolly dinking the keeper with confidence just before the break.

The second half continued to raise eyebrows as again Poll was involved in some questionable decisions. Cardiff then took the lead with style via an amazing Whittingham goal - this time no question for the PA man as Whittingham scored with a thunderbolt to send us ahead.

The game was looking to go our way, but Loovens was then unfairly sent off for a second yellow card. Coventry took advantage of the lack of height at the back via an Adebola header only a few short minutes later.

Coventry aimed for the winner, but good defending and two disallowed goals kept us in the mix. The eventual result was fair on the balance of power, though a strange and cold afternoon indeed for anyone present.

Team News: Dave only made one change to his squad from the Barnsley victory, the change in fact on the bench as Jason Byrne was out with an ankle injury. In his place came Kevin Campbell along with our very own Lazarus in the form of Kevin McNaughton, back from the dead after his injury last week. Joe Ledley was also pronounced fit to start, making it an unchanged starting eleven.

Chronological Report: Cardiff were the first to show some attacking prowess, as after two minutes former Coventry youth product showed skill to trick his way through the Coventry defence on the left of goal, only to be illegally challenged for a free-kick - the resulting delivery from Whittingham way too deep.

Coventry were next to try their luck two minutes later as McKenzie set-up Mifsud on a run towards Alexander. There was a moment of pressure and pinball as the Sky Blues aimed to force the issue, but eventually the ball span out for a goal-kick.

The opening goal wasn't long in coming, presented by a Cardiff City error. Misfud easily beat Ledley on the right, sent the ball back with Ledley on the deck. McKenzie fired through bodies leaving Alexander slightly blindsighted, and while the City 'keeper managed to get a glove to the ball he couldn't prevent the goal.

GOAL: COVENTRY 1-0 CARDIFF. McKenzie. 7 mins

Cardiff aimed to break back to the opener, coming close after eleven minutes as Chopra looked to get clean in on Marshall's goal. Unfortunately from an away perspective, former Welsh defender Robert Page was on hand to steal at the last with a well timed challenge to send the ball out of play.

Coventry were looking more comfortable than their league status suggested, with Misfud in particular enjoying himself at Ledley's expense. After fourteen minutes he again beat the Welsh International on the right, sending the ball through to Michael Doyle who was then robbed of possession as he lined up his shot.

Two minutes later Coventry should have doubled their lead as they again cut through the Bluebirds back line. Two chances were offered to Leon McKenzie, but he amazingly at first shot straight at Alexander, then skied the return with little pressure.

Cardiff found a few opportunities towards the twenty minutes mark - first via Peter Whittingham with a low cross that Steve Thompson should have done better with as he scuffed his shot. Paul Parry was then fouled by former team-mate Page in Chopra territory, but our in form striker missed with his free-kick - the ball flying marginally over Marshall's bar.

A moment of 'incident' came minutes later, with Chopra falling in the area under the pressure of Michael Doyle. No penalty was given, but Chopra caught a late hand in the face and required the attention of the Cardiff physio.

The Bluebirds medical man was back on the pitch after twenty six minutes, following a Coventry break that saw McKenzie chase and collide with Alexander as both aimed to reach the ball. There was clearly no intent from the former Norwich player, but with Alexander in pain and feet technically raised, referee Graham Poll had little option but to produce a yellow card, much to the disgust of the home support.

Paul Parry came closest to a Cardiff opener just before the half hour, with the winger cutting inside before firing a long distance shot at goal that flew low and only a few yards to the right of goal.

Graham Poll then took centre-stage with a few quick decisions that bemused both sets of fans. Coventry were the first to see yellow as Jay Tabb was booked for grabbing Alexander's shirt as he claimed the ball.

The Coventry player pretty much spun the Cardiff 'keeper around with Alexander angrily trying to brush him off, with the Coventry fans angered that no yellow was shown to our goalkeeper. Moment's later ironic applause volleyed around the newly built arena as Glenn Loovens was booked for a clumsy challenge on McKenzie.

The match continued with Coventry showing more quality than their guests, and they were desperately unlucky not to double their lead just before the break. Misfud was again the man in the thick of the action as his run and shot on the break first hit Alexander's left post after beating the 'keeper, then cannoned across the line and back out after hitting the opposite post.

Three minutes had just been announced when Cardiff were offered a lifeline through the penalty spot. Johnson was knocked down in the box by the arm of Robert Page as the City defender aimed to meet a corner from Whittingham. Page was booked and Poll pointed to the spot, with Chopra following up by cheekily dinking the ball over Marshall for an unlikely equaliser.

GOAL: COVENTRY 1-1 CARDIFF. Chopra (pen). 45 mins +1

The half ended with more of a focus on the World Cup referee, as upon blowing for half time Poll was sent off to a barrage of abuse from the home support.

HALF TIME: COVENTRY 1-1 CARDIFF

Coventry opened the second half with a nice spell of pressure from Adebola and Tabb. The match at this point was even between the two, with more of a focus on the aggressive approach than football skills.

Simon Walton was given a chance with a header after presented by Paul Parry, but Marshall was comfortable in holding the ball.Whittingham also had a good chance to make it 2-1, but his shot from the left of goal was sent well over after the midfielder finding good space to shoot.

The Ricoh Arena was stunned just before the hour as Paul Parry made space on the right, then sending the ball back across the pitch towards Whittingham. The City new boy then proceeded to upset his first club with a lovely shot towards and into the top corner. Marshall had no chance.

GOAL: COVENTRY 1-2 CARDIFF. Whittingham. 57 mins

Coventry were rattled by the goal, but to their credit battled to regain parity. Misfud and McKenzie were again involved with some good runs and a few shots, but no way through could be found.

The match was turned further into a spectacle with twenty five minutes remaining, as a soft foul from Loovens on Misfud first saw Poll give a deserved free-kick, but then amazingly followed the decision with the production of a second yellow card - Loovens and pretty much everyone else surprised as he was told to make his way to the tunnel.

Further pain followed as immediately after the sending off, Peter Whittingham pulled up with a strain, with McNaughton coming on in his place as City were reduced to ten men.

The advantage certainly sparked Coventry back into life, and minutes later they were rewarded with a goal as Tabb crossed expertly towards Adebola. The striker then showed his power to climb well and head home in front of the most vocal Coventry fans. The goal was disappointing, but in keeping with the bizarre quality of the game was probably justified.

GOAL: COVENTRY 2-2 CARDIFF. Adebola. 70 mins

Coventry were lifted by their equaliser and continued to press for the winner as the match continued. Their man advantage showed as chance after chance came their way.

Steve Thompson made way for a debut for Iwan Redan after seventy three minutes, with Coventry then having two instances disallowed as the ball found the back of the net, only to then be denied by Poll for offences in the build up.

The match ended with Cardiff understandably playing for time due to being a man down; Willo Flood coming on for Kerrea Gilbert with twelve minutes left. Alexander also was worthy of mention for a great save towards the death, with no further goals or crazy incidents coming our way - thank God.

We left the Ricoh in a strange atmosphere in what was a game that will be remembered more for the referee than anything else.

FULL TIME: COVENTRY 2-2 CARDIFF

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