
El-Hadji Diouf replaced Adam Drury at the start of the second half while Leeds were looking solid, in terms of entertainment value, they game was crying out for a spark, and Kenny had to save from close range at the start of the half. Jordan Mutch also sent a shot wide for the home side.
When the hosts threatened again, Jason Pearce made a good block to avert the danger, and when Leeds came forward the referee's whistle brought a halt to proceedings as Luciano Becchio looked to forge a chance. A close offside call also denied Diouf when he volleyed over the bar.
Cardiff threatened again with a ball from deep into the box while Varney drilled a cross into the six-yard box which was cleared. And Tommy Smith wasted the best chance of the game shortly after the hour when he volleyed over from close range.
Kenny also had to save well when Mark Hudson found space in the box and attempted to steer a header wide of the United keeper.
But Cardiff were in front in on 66 minutes when Craig Bellamy drilled home an angled free-kick from the edge of the box after Michael Tonge was booked for a foul. The former Liverpool man unleashed an unstoppable strike which left Kenny with no chance.Five minutes later, Cardiff had an opportunity to double that advantage when Tom Lees was adjudged to have given away a penalty. Peter Whittingham stepped up to take the spot kick and his cool left foot finish made it 2-0.But Leeds did get back in it on 76 minutes when Rodolph Austin levelled with a long range free-kick. Like Bellamy, the Jamaican international picked his spot, the bottom left hand corner, and drilled the ball beyond the flailing dive of David Marshall.The Cardiff keeper was called upon again moments later to clear an Aidy White cross when both Becchio and Varney were advancing dangerously. At the other end, Kenny got down well to deny Smith, who drilled in a low shot from distance.
But United fashioned out another chance with less than five minutes on the clock when Austin found space on the right and picked out Peltier with a great cross. The skipper got up well, but his header was over the top.
That proved to be the last meaningful action of the game as United's frustrating record at Cardiff continued.
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