Cardiff 0-1 Sheff Utd

Allison celebrates his winning goal

A 73rd-minute Wayne Allison strike saw the Blades through in a one-sided FA Cup tie at Ninian Park.

Last year's semi-finalists could have had more but for some profligate finishing.

The breakthrough came when a Michael Tonge cross left Cardiff goalkeeper Martyn Margetson flapping, giving substitute Allison a free header.

The Bluebirds looked a side devoid of confidence as they slid to their fifth successive defeat.

The Blades had much the better of the first half, carving out a series of chances but lacking the finishing touch.

KEY MOMENTS 30 mins: Vidmar fires a free header wide 45 mins: Sturridge sees yellow after kicking Gabbidon 63 mins: Allison replaces Ward 73 mins: Allison gets the winner with a fine header

Set-piece defence from the Bluebirds was woeful and every high ball proved troublesome.

Margetson made a fine early save from Jack Lester and the striker proceeded to miss a string of chances.

But it was the the home side who could have taken the lead on the half hour, a Graham Kavanagh cross giving Tony Vidmar a free header, only for the defender to send his effort wide.

The visitors' disappointment at not making their dominance count boiled over with half-time approaching, debut-making Dean Sturridge earning a yellow card after foolishly kicking out at Danny Gabbidon.

Honestly, I didn't think we would win today - I was hoping for a draw! From Disabled Blade Have your say on 606

Cardiff made a more competitive start to the second period, but the Blades continued to dominate the crucial midfield area.

Sheffield boss Neil Warnock made a telling double substitution in the 63rd minute, sending Allison on for Ashley Ward and replacing the injured Sturridge with Paul Peschisolido.

The breakthrough predictably came from a teasing cross, Tonge finding the space down the left to get past Rhys Weston.

Margetson missed the deep ball, and former Huddersfield man Allison made no mistake with a firm header.

Bluebirds manager Lennie Lawrence had already replaced the ineffectual Rob Earnshaw with Alan Lee, and now he played his final card, throwing Andy Campbell on in place of Gareth Whalley to make up a three-man attack.

But it never looked like yielding a result, and the restless crowd were streaming for the exit long before the end.

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Cardiff: Margetson, Weston (Croft 80), Prior, Gabbidon, Vidmar, Boland, Kavanagh, Whalley (Campbell 76), Langley, Thorne, Earnshaw (Lee 66).
Subs Not Used: Bonner, Alexander.

Booked: Boland.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Kozluk, Morgan, Page, Phil Jagielka, Sturridge (Peschisolido 64), Tonge, Montgomery, McCall, Ward (Allison 64), Lester.
Subs Not Used: Whitlow, Rankine, Boussatta.

Booked: Sturridge, Page.

Attendance: 10,525.

Referee: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).