Leeds United went down to a 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City, as it was an all-round bad day with striker Ross McCormack stretchered off inside five minutes.
McCormack was carried off after a going down under a strong tackle following a surging run.
The Scottish international striker quickly pointed at the Leeds bench and after trying to walk off the pitch, he was eventually stretchered from the field.
Luke Varney replaced McCormack and he had the best chance in the first half for Leeds but his effort was blocked.
In a dour first half, Heidar Helguson had the home side`s best chance but his header cleared the crossbar.
Referee Paul Tierney was struggling to control the game and quite how Jordan Mutch got away without a caution for a high challenge on Lee Peltier was a mystery.
Tommy Smith could also count himself lucky to only receive a yellow card for a two-footed lunge on Sam Byram.
Cardiff started the second half much better. Nicky Maynard had a shot saved by Paddy Kenny and Smith failed to hit the target after finding space at the far post.
Kenny then made another good save at full stretch to deny a Mark Hudson header.
The game changed halfway through the second half when Cardiff brought on the experienced Craig Bellamy.
Within three minutes of coming off the bench, he gave Kenny no chance with a free kick from the edge of the area.
They doubled their lead five minutes later when Peter Whittingham beat Kenny from the penalty spot after Tom Lees had been adjudged to have brought down Maynard.
Maynard was the same player who was also adjudged to have been fouled for the free kick that led to the first goal but both decisions looked harsh has referee Tierney continued to look out of his depth.
Leeds were quickly given a lifeline when Rodolph Austin fired home a free kick from distance.
Kenny made another good save to deny Smith to keep Leeds in the game and Lee Peltier missed a great chance to equalise for Leeds in the closing minutes when he headed over from close range.
Leeds boss Neil Warnock will now try to patch up his small squad, ahead of the game with Hull City at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Teams
Cardiff City
Marshall; McNaughton, Hudson, Connolly, Taylor; Smith, Whittingham, Mutch, Noone (Bellamy 63); Maynard (Cowie 82), Helguson.
Subs not used
Lewis, Nugent, Bo-Kyung, Gunnarsson, Mason.
Leeds United
Kenny; Peltier, Pearce, Lees, Drury (Diouf 45); Austin, Tonge, White, Byram, McCormack (Varney 8, Poleon 72); Becchio.
Subs not used
Ashdown, Kisnorbo, Brown, Gray.
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