Cardiff’s winless start to the season continued as Stoke held on for a 1-1 draw and their first away point since January in the Welsh capital.<\/p>\n
Stoke had hope of an away-day success after a run of nine straight Sky Bet Championship defeats when Ben Johnson scored midway through the first half.<\/p>\n
But the Potters came under fierce pressure in the second half and Joel Colwill’s headed home for Cardiff hosts who hit a post three times.<\/p>\n
![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-joel-colwill-cardiff_7345517.jpg?20260908220810\")
\n <\/div>\n Joel Colwill scored Cardiff’s equaliser against Stoke
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The draw – Cardiff’s fourth in six games – was enough to take the Bluebirds out of the relegation zone, while Stoke slip to 15th.<\/p>\n
Krystian Bielik was named in the Cardiff starting line-up after being involved in a physical altercation with a fan at Portsmouth on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The incident is currently the subject of an investigation by Hampshire Police.<\/p>\n
Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy had urged supporters and players to stay calm after a tricky start and two successive defeats that had dropped them into the relegation zone.<\/p>\n
Stoke had been boosted by back-to-back home wins but their form on the road was dire, with no wins in 11 games.<\/p>\n
Ollie Tanner had two chances in the space of 60 seconds for the Bluebirds.<\/p>\n
A slick interchange of passes between Tanner, Jack Moylan and Yousef Salech allowed the winger space and his shot from 20 yards struck the base of a post.<\/p>\n
Stoke escaped again immediately as goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, under pressure from Salech, sent his clearing kick straight to Tanner, who failed to find an empty net from a tight angle.<\/p>\n
Robert Bozenik skewed Stoke’s first opening wide, but the Potters were ahead after Tanner failed to convert at the far post.<\/p>\n
Bozenik played the ball over the top of the Cardiff defence and Johnson profited from some weak defending to open his account on a season-long loan from Ipswich.<\/p>\n
George Hirst forced Nathan Trott to shovel his effort from 20 yards, and the Cardiff goalkeeper had to react again to hold Justin Devenny’s deflected shot.<\/p>\n
Good chances came thick and fast at the start of the second half after Moylan fired straight at Johansson.<\/p>\n
Hirst was clean through but he lacked conviction approaching Trott and the goalkeeper saved with his legs.<\/p>\n
Tanner then burst away after dispossessing Luke Graham, but Ben Wilmot came to Stoke’s rescue with a brilliant block that earned him high-fives all round.<\/p>\n
Colwill met Chris Willock’s cross after 63 minutes to broke Stoke’s resistance, looping a header on to a post and past Johansson.<\/p>\n
The same combination almost paid dividends for Cardiff moments later when another Colwill header thumped off a post.<\/p>\n
Salech had two clear-cut chances late on and Moylan struck the goal frame in stoppage time as Cardiff were frustrated.<\/p>\n
The managers<\/h3>\n
Cardiff’s Brian Barry-Murphy:<\/em><\/p>\n “The way the players responded was incredible, really.<\/p>\n “In the second half it felt as if it was only a matter of time, and I was pretty sure we would get the winner.<\/p>\n “But we just couldn’t find a finish. The goalkeeper (Viktor Johansson) is a brilliant goalkeeper. He’s always been a top goalkeeper at this level, and I knew we’d have to finish well to beat him.<\/p>\n “In Joel’s case we did, but on other occasions it wasn’t possible.<\/p>\n “I wouldn’t use the phrase ‘turning point’. It’s too early in the season. It’s very early days, we have to remain calm.<\/p>\n “As players, we have to be really professional and calm, stay focused and not get carried away by too many perceived highs or too many perceived lows.<\/p>\n “The players are in a great place, really focused and really together.”<\/p>\n Stoke’s Mark Robins:<\/em><\/p>\n “We allowed them too much of the ball, but that’s the way they build and that’s the way Brian plays.<\/p>\n “We just gave them too many opportunities and they had a lot of chances.<\/p>\n “We had a couple of really good moments to go 2-0 up and then we conceded the goal.<\/p>\n “We ran out of steam in one or two positions, but I thought we dug in and ground a point out.<\/p>\n “But we’ve got seven points from three games and this is our first away point of the season.”<\/p>\nWhat the result means and next fixtures…<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n