City pay the price for mistakes in a dramatic Cup exit

Leicester City's Welsh woes continued as two goals in time added on dumped them out of the FA Cup.

After their league defeat at Swansea City the previous week, this was another disappointing day in the valleys for Nigel Pearson's men.

City looked on course for a place in the fifth round when they hit back from an early Jay Bothroyd strike to lead at half-time.

However, Cardiff grabbed a shocking equaliser when Peter Whittingham's free kick sailed directly into the City net and then the visitors were denied what looked a strong claim for a penalty.

Suddenly the Bluebirds' tails were up and they snatched the tie in a grandstand finish.

City manager Nigel Pearson was visibly incensed by the decision not to award City a penalty for a trip on Dany N'Guessan. The only debate seemed to be whether it was inside or outside the area, not whether a foul had been committed.

However, referee Phil Crossley, who was right on the spot, gave nothing and it was a reprieve that Cardiff took full advantage of.

But City were the architects of their own downfall in many respects. Possession was given away cheaply in midfield in the build-up to Cardiff's first goal and then, when Michael Chopra curled in his cross, Jack Hobbs and Michael Morrison allowed Bothroyd to ghost in between them to head the hosts in front.

Hobbs was not tight enough on Gorka Pintado when he scored Swansea's winner last week and again he was caught out by Bothroyd, although he was by no means the only City defender to be punished for a lapse in concentration.

There is no doubting City's spirit as they again hit back from a goal down in positive fashion, although it must be a concern to Pearson that they keep finding themselves in such a position and that their resolve keeps being tested.

Pearson lamented the lack of quality of the set-piece delivery last week, but there were no such problems this week as Paul Gallagher curled in a superb free-kick in the 34th minute for Morrison to head home the equaliser.

Then, five minutes later, Martyn Waghorn, who replaced Matty Fryatt in the starting line-up after City's top-scorer had missed training all week through illness, and Yann Kermorgant, helped the ball on for N'Guessan, who had timed his run off the left flank superbly before brushing aside Paul Quinn and slipping the ball past goalkeeper David Marshall.

City were in the ascendency and Cardiff looked dead on their feet.

N'Guessan had two more opportunities to add to the Bluebirds' woes but could not take them and the half-time whistle signalled a welcome respite for Dave Jones's fading side.

City's grasp on the tie seemed secure but, as the second half progressed, their grip began to slip. Chopra forced a good save from Chris Weale in the 61st minute, and Ross McCormack fired the rebound over the bar.

Cardiff began to come more into the game but, once more, it was the visitors who shot themselves in the foot when Whittingham's kick sailed directly in and the finger of blame must be pointed at the usually immaculate Weale.

Cardiff's old ground, Ninian Park, was one of the most vociferous and intimidating grounds in the Football League. It stands derelict across the road from their new home now and, for much of this tie, that famous partisan atmosphere seemed to be buried in the rubble.

However, the equaliser put air into the Welshmen's lungs and they were buoyed further by the penalty decision.

City had another great chance to get their noses back in front when Gallagher delivered a superb corner and Kermorgant powered a fierce header towards goal only for Marshall to pull off a wonderful save.

Cardiff substitute Chris Burke sprung into life to torture the tiring Ryan McGivern in the closing stages and broke the deadlock. City failed to clear Whittingham's ball into the box and, fortuitously for Cardiff, after a spot of pinball, the ball fell to Burke to lash home.

A minute later, Chopra found space behind the City defence. His shot was saved by Weale but McCormack fired home the rebound.

With Tigers also suffering defeat in the Principality, Leicester sports fans will not be relishing another trip down the M4.

However, City will have to return soon to face Cardiff in their postponed Championship fixture and they must learn the lessons from this defeat.

A killer instinct has to be found and the ability to shoot themselves in the foot must be avoided.