Cardiff City 2-1 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports from Ninian Park

Cardiff City were victorious in a controversial Severnside derby, beating City by two goals to one.

Peter Whittingham scored the winner from the penalty spot, seconds after Steve Brooker had seen a headed effort chalked out for offside.

Dele Adebola had earlier cancelled out a headed goal from Roger Johnson.

The controversy wasn't restricted to the pitch, however, as City boss Gary Johnson was sent to the stands for a touchline incident.

Nick Carle had the only effort of a quiet first quarter of an hour, the Australian driving a low shot wide of the goal.

Despite a red-hot atmosphere, it took time for the game to liven up and on 16 minutes Johnson headed a Peter Whittingham free kick inches wide of the mark for the home side.

At the other end Michael McIndoe almost got a boot to Dele Adebola's agonising cross.

Then on 18 minutes Adriano Basso was called into action for the first time and pulled off a brilliant save to deny Steven Thompson.
Whittingham's reverse pass sent Thompson into the box and his low shot was blocked by the body of City's number one. The ball continued to trickle towards the goal-line and Bradley orr was well positioned to clear to safety.

Orr was involved at the other end as City nearly stole in front just after the half-hour. The right-back had advanced well down the flank and sent a left-footed cross curling beyond Peter Enckelman and against his right-hand upright.

Then, just a minute before the interval, Johnson nodded the hosts in front. Whittingham's high free kick picked out the big centre-half unmarked and his bullet header was beyond Basso in a flash.

The home side continued on the front foot in the second half with chances for Parry and Joe Ledley.

Cardiff wasted a glorious chance when a three-on-one attacking situation ended with Orr robbing Whittingham of the ball.

City finall levelled against the run of play with 15 minutes to play. McAllister's cross from the left was guided in at the far post by Adebola's well placed header.

Now in the ascendancy, City thought they had taken the lead two minutes later when Brooker - on for his first appearance of the season - headed in from McIndoe's free kick.

The celebrations were short-lived, however, as the assistant referee's flag ruled out the effort for offside.

Cardiff raced down the other end and were awarded a penalty for Marvin Elliott's trip on Stephen McPhail.

Adriano Basso saved Whittingham's spot-kick attempt, but could do little to prevent the midfielder from tucking home the rebound.

With City desperate to push for a second equaliser, frustrations boiled over at pitch level and Gary Johnson was sent to the stands by referee Keith Stroud.

It was a frustrating end to a frustrating afternoon for City in the Welsh capital.