Cardiff City Reserves slumped to a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Cheltenham Town despite taking a first-half lead and having a man advantage for the final fifteen minutes. Ashley James reports from Ninian Park.

A strong, organised Cheltenham side battled their way to two goals to one victory at Ninian Park thanks to a 60^th minute winning strike from man-of-the-match Craig Reid.

Cheltenham looked the hungrier from the start and crafted several creative chances through sheer determination and hard work off the ball; this nearly paid dividends after only 8 minutes when, visiting forward Craig Reid caught Aaron Ramsey in possession on the edge of the area. He was however unable to find his strike partner Paul Connor who was free inside the 6-yard box and the opening chance went begging.

The visitors continued to pressure with Mark Howard solely responsible for keeping the scores level. Right-back Andy Gallinaghn struck a rasping half-volley from fully 30 yards out on the right that looked to be dipping in the far corner, but Howard watched it well and managed to tip it over the bar and safe.

The Robins remained the better side and maintained a strangle-hold on possession, without however creating a great deal going forward. This nearly changed on the 26 minute mark; lively left-winger Shane Paul slipped in Reid on the left of the area who again looked for his partner Connor with a cut-back. This time it took an excellent intervention by Bradley Middleton to ensure the visitors drew a blank; the Bluebirds centre-back trapping the ball with an outstretched leg.

It took until the half-hour mark for Cardiff to spring into life and subsequently take the lead. Firstly impressive right-back Anthony Cook drove forward well before sliding a pass into Matt Green who shot tamely across the 'keeper Gary Hateley. Seconds later and the Bluebirds had the lead, Cook swinging over a cross from the right which diminutive striker James Upcott steered into the far corner, rising well above the defence to head the Bluebirds ahead.

Cardiff City 1 - 0 Cheltenham Town (James Upcott 30mins)

The Cardiff lead lasted barely four minutes; as a mix-up at the back gifted Connor possession on the left of the 6-yard box, which the former Swansea City man calmly converted from a narrow angle for a deserved equaliser.

Cardiff City 1 - 1 Cheltenham Town (Paul Connor 34mins)

The half closed with a chance apiece that neither team could convert into a lead; firstly Hateley again saved with his feet from a Matt Green shot, a mirror image of his earlier chance and, for the Robins, Reid shot just over from the edge of the box; his left footed drive narrowly missing the target which ensured a mid-way stalemate.

Half-Time: Cardiff City 1 - 1 Cheltenham Town

Cardiff seemed to up the tempo and desire at the beginning of the second-half which nearly resulted in an early goal; some good work and a cut-back from Upcott down the left of the area found James Simmonds free to his right who powered a shot at goal from 10 yards out, however Hateley saved well from the on-loan Chelsea midfielder.

Cheltenham responded sharply, Mark Howard saving well on two occasions in quick succession to keep the scores level; firstly down to his left off a low shot from Shane Paul that was destined for the bottom corner of the net and then from Reid, hurling himself at the strikers feet from close-range. When Howard did make a mistake his defenders reacted brilliantly, Cook, Middleton and Captain Anthony Acheampong all throwing themselves at efforts from the visiting forwards and coming to the aid of their relieved 'keeper who had fumbled a cross.

The visitors continued to press and looked the most dangerous and likely to score; Paul scooping over at the back-post following some fine interplay again between Connor and Reid and a goal ruled out for off-side when the same three Robins players found themselves free, bearing down on goal.

Cheltenham eventually made their dominance count on the hour mark; the busy Reid taking the ball down well with his back to goal, turning and shooting wide of Howard at full-stretch to his right.

Cardiff City 1 - 2 Cheltenham Town (Craig Reid 60mins)

Far from resting on his laurels the busy Reid continued to cause the Cardiff defence problems with his movement and power, turning on the right of the box his low cross was dealt with well by Howard, bravely diving forward to prevent a goal-scoring chance for the waiting Sam Foley.

Just as it seemed the visitors were looking comfortable for the win Cardiff were handed 75^th minute life-line; Shane Paul was handed a red-card after an off the ball incident with Acheampong to the surprise of everyone in the crowd and seemingly everyone on the field.

Despite their man deficit it was Cheltenham that crafted the next opening, one that would have secured the away victory. A cross whipped in wide from the right evaded the head of everyone before dropping onto the chest of Gavin Caines at the back-post, however the central defender with time and space could only find the advertising boards wide of the target.

Far from looking like snatching an equaliser late on it was the visitors who could and should have put the game beyond doubt; Reid again hungry for work drew in two defenders and played in an un-marked Robins Captain in Adam Connolly who had surged forward from mid-field, again however Howard saved well to at least give the Bluebirds a glimmer of hope of gaining a point. This however was never really on the cards and a superior Cheltenham outfit run out well-deserved 2-1 winners.

Full-Time: Cardiff City 1 - 2 Cheltenham Town

Cardiff City: Mark Howard, Anthony Cook, Anthony Acheampong, Bradley Middleton, Curtis McDonald, Jamal Easter, James Simmonds (Ashley Buswell 70mins), Aaron Ramsey (Gregg Coomes 45mins), Jonathan Brown, James Upcott (Sam Wade 84mins), Matthew Green. Subs not used: Scott Allison, Scott McCoubrey

Cheltenham Town: Gary Hateley, Andy Gallinagh, Gavin Caines, Keith Lowe, Matt Walsh, Sosthene Yao, Adam Connolly, Sam Foley, Shane Paul, Paul Connor (Darius Morgan 63mins), Craig Reid. Subs not used: Mike Whittington, David Briggs, Dean Maynard, Ben Pattison