Cardiff City - 0
Crystal Palace - 0

Considering that teams of the calibre of Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County managed to get knocked out of the Cup by teams from lower divisions, namely Macclesfield and Bury, Palace did well to get through to the next round. This match could never be considered one of the better ones for the team, but they achieved what they set out to do, to protect their 2-1 lead from the first leg at Selhurst Park.

The start of the match saw Neil Ruddock put in a 20 yard shot which was just blocked on the line, but from there on it appeared that they were content to sit on their lead, and soak up the pressure from the home side. To their credit Cardiff ensured that there was plenty of pressure applied, with shots coming from most of their players during the course of the first half.

Palace always looked dangerous on the break, but apart from a couple of fine saves from Matthew Gregg there was not a lot to write about regarding either side.

The second half of the match brought little change to the fare served up to the rather poor crowd, though the Ninian Park faithful were treated to a few more good displays from their side, albeit without the finishing ability. Within the first ten minutes of play getting underway again, Jamie Pollock hit a good shot goalwards, the ball being eventually stopped on the line by Dave Greene. Cardiff's best attempt came late in the match when Kevin Nugent sent in a scorcher of a shot, Matt Gregg just managing to tip it round the post and keep our lead intact.

A final chance from substitute Leon McKenzie saw his header sail harmlessly over the bar, and the match was all over. Palace now proceeds to the next round of the Cup, hoping for a dream match against one of the Premiership sides.

Colin Pryce

Cardiff City: Mark Walton, Daniel Gabbidon, Andy Legg, Dave Greene, Gethin Jones, Scott McCulloch, Mark Bonner (Dai Thomas 83), Danny Hill, Kevin Evans, Kurt Nogan (Rob Earnshaw 66), Kevin Nugent.

Substitutes not used: Jeff Eckhardt, Jon Hallworth, Tony Sheridan.

Crystal Palace: Matthew Gregg, Jamie Smith (Dean Austin 72), Fan Zhiyi, Neil Ruddock, Hayden Mullins, Clinton Morrison (Leon McKenzie 56), Tommy Black, Julian Gray, Mikael Forssell (Richard Harris 57), Jamie Pollock, Craig Harrison.

Substitutes not used: Steve Thomson, Stephen Evans.

Attendance: 4,904

Referee: Mr P Walters.