Cardiff City 2, Portsmouth 1
after extra time
Defender Greg Halford steered Cardiff City into the Carabao Cup second round.
The teams were locked on 1-1 deep into extra time when Halford smashed his shot into Portsmouth’s net from 20 yards.
A first half own goal by captain Sean Morrison had given Pompey the lead, while substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing levelled the scored soon after half-time.
Manager Neil Warnock made eight changes to his Bluebirds starting line-up and the result for a disjointed first half performance from the home team.
An own goal by Sean Morrison put Portsmouth ahead, but Cardiff City were unable to put any real pressure on Portsmouth goalkeeper Luke McGee.
Winger Matty Kennedy was bright and lively, but Lee Tomlin looked a little isolated out on the left.
Anthony Pilkington, too, failed to impress and Warnock addressed those situations at half-time by sending on Mendez-Laing. He took over on the from from Tomlin, who moved into the middle and linked with striker Danny Ward.
That proved an inspirational change by Warnock and Mendez-Laing equalised after 48 minutes.
Stuart O’Keefe was given his chance in central midfield, playing alongside Loic Damour, and both worked hard without making a major impact over the opening 45 minutes.
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis was out with a knee injury and Haunstrup played at left-back, while May replaced Carl Baker in central midfield.
The third Pompey team change saw Kai Naismith called in for Conor Chaplin.
Ward went closest for Cardiff in the first half when his shot from 22 yards on the turn took a deflection and flew just wide.
Portsmouth went ahead just after the half hour when Naismith’s cross flew past Brett Pitman as he lunged at the ball in front of goal and Morrison, stretching back to try and intercept, could only volley into his own net from close range .
Just before half-time City keeper Brian Murphy was booked when he spilled the ball and then shoved Gareth Evans to the ground just outside his area.
The Bluebirds upped their tempo in the second half and Portsmouth looked vulnerable for the first time.
Bruno Manga headed against the Pompey bar from a corner and then substitute Mendez-Laing struck wit the equaliser less than three minutes into the second half.
Kennedy produced good skill on the left and whipped in a cross. Tomlin’s first time effort was deflected and Mendez-Laing was in position to fire home at the far post.
Tomlin looked far more comfortable in the number 10 role and he was able to stretch Portsmouth with his vision and trickery.
Kennedy went close when he ran onto a Mendez-Laing pass and was stopped by a crunching tackle in front of goal, while he couldn’t quite jump high enough when Damour launched a cross into the box. His header flew wide, but it was a decent effort from a difficult chance.
Cardiff used all four substitutes, sending on Junior Hoilett for Kennedy late in the second half. Ibrahim Meite and Joe Ralls went on in extra time.
Meite went close when he slid in on a Hoilett cross, but his first time effort flew high over the bar.
The winner came just as it seemed the new ABBA style of penalty shootout would be used at Cardiff City Stadium.
Hoilett took a corner on the left and the ball ran to Halford on the edge of the penalty area in line with the far post. His first time shot was too strong for McGee and Cardiff were in front of the first time.
It was a hard fought match, but Cardiff City are in Thursday’s second round draw.
Cardiff City: Murphy, Richards, Morrison (capt), Manga, Halford, Kennedy (Hoilett 87), O’Keefe, Damour (Ralls 102), Pilkington (Mendez-Laing 46), Tomlin (Meite 87), D Ward. Subs not used: Peltier, Ralls, Etheridge (gk), Coxe
Portsmouth: McGee, Talbot, Whatmough, Burgess, Haunstrup (Close 106), Evans, May, Rose, Bennett (Baker 98), Naismith (Kabamba 65), Pitman (Chaplin 113). Subs not used: Davies, Main, Close.
Referee: Steve Martin.
Attendance: 6,592 (800-plus from Portsmouth).