Walsall 1-1 Cardiff

Whalley's substitute appearance saved the Bluebirds

Cardiff substitute Gareth Whalley scored three minutes into injury time to salvage a point for the Bluebirds in a match which saw two players sent-off.

Walsall, having enjoyed the better of the first half, finally made the breakthrough seven minutes after the interval.

Cardiff's James Collins, who saw an effort on goal saved just minutes earlier, handled in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Zigor Aranalde's spot-kick was kept out by Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander, but Jorge Leitao was on hand to convert.

Walsall thoroughly deserved to take the lead, having carved out the majority of the chances before the opening goal.

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But they were caught out in the final moments by Whalley, who steered the ball home to the delight of his team-mates.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men just after the hour when Cardiff's Alan Lee and Walsall's Aranalde were shown red cards for violent conduct.

Walsall, inspired once again by the impressive Paul Merson, had shaded the opening 45 minutes but were unable to make their superiority count before the break.

As the first half wore on Walsall began to assert their authority and from Paul Merson's corner Ian Roper hammered the ball over the bar, while Steve Corica also shot at goal.

Cardiff finally managed an effort of goal after 25 minutes, but Robert Earnshaw failed to get his shot on target and just moments later visiting keeper Neil Alexander has to field a mis-hit shot from Jorge Leitao.

James Walker was called into action 10 minutes before the break when he comfortably gathered a James Collins header from Graham Kavanagh's corner but it looked as though Walsall would hold out until Whalley's rescue act.

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Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Aranalde, Hay, Roper, Osborn, Corica, Samways, Ritchie, Leitao, Merson. Subs: Kerr, Wrack, Matias, Emblen, Birch.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Barker, Vidmar, Collins, Boland, Kavanagh, Robinson, Langley, Lee, Earnshaw. Subs: Thorne, Bonner, Prior, Whalley, Margetson.

Referee: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).