Cardiff City battled to a 1-1 draw in their Professional Development League under-23 match against Sheffield United.

The Bluebirds included senior players Greg Cunningham, Stuart O’Keefe, Rhys Healey and goalkeeper Alex Smithies in their starting line-up.

Healey scored Cardiff’s goal to put them ahead, but they drew 1-1 and have taken seven points from their ;last three PDL matches.

City went ahead just before the half hour when Healey held off his marker and finished in clinical style.

The Blades equalised after 84 minutes when Jake Young played an accurate pass to Harry Boyes and he set up Simeon Oure for a shot which flew in after a deflection.

Alex Smithies, Cardiff’s back-up goalkeeper to Neil Etheridge, produced an excellent performance and made some good saves, while O’Keefe put in another good shift for the development team.

He is out of contract at the end of this season and not involved at first team level, but is keeping fit by playing regularly for the under-23 team.

Cardiff City: Alex Smithies, Ryan Pryce, Greg Cunningham, Ryan Kavanagh, Hanson (Siyabonga Ligendza 85), Wallis, Billy Stedman, Stuart O’Keefe, Rhys Healey, Danny Williams, Anderson (Sam Parsons 54). Subs not used: Rubin Colwill, Warren Burwood (gk), Rudy Andrew-Knott. 

Sheffield United: Jordan Amissah, Jake Bennett (Kyron Gordon 70), Jordan Armstrong, Harrison Neal, Jake Wright, Reece York (Tommy Williams 76), Harry Sheppeard, Daniel Bramall (Jake Young 62), Simeon Oure, Oliver Greaves, Harry Boyes. Subs not used: Sam Kelly (gk), Jean Leroy Belehouan. 

Cardiff City under-23 remaining fixtures:

March

Monday 11 v Hull City (away, at East Riding County FA, 7pm)

Monday 25 v Crewe Alexandra (home, Cardiff International Sports Stadium, 1pm)

Friday 29 v Watford (away, at Maurice Rebak Stadium, 3pm)

April

Saturday 6 v Birmingham City (away, at the Autotech Stadium, Noon)

Monday 15 v Bolton Wanderers (home, Cardiff City Stadium, 7pm)