Paul Quinn sent Cardiff into the Carling Cup fourth round as Leicester were edged out in a penalty shoot-out.

A goalless extra time was followed by 12 successful kicks, but then Gelson Fernandes ballooned over the bar.

In normal time Don Cowie had headed Cardiff in front, only for Steve Howard to slide home a near-post equaliser.

A rebound fell kindly for Lloyd Dyer to give Leicester the lead, but Rudy Gestede sent the game into extra time with a brilliant 25-yard shot.

The penalty shoot-out defeat was especially hard on Leicester, as it brought back painful memories of the 2009/10 season's play-off semi-final loss to the same opponents in the same manner.

But the League Cup clash was the first of two meetings between the teams this week, and Leicester will have their chance of revenge when they return to the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday for their Championship encounter.

Cardiff character delights Mackay

Leicester had the first sight of goal but Jeff Schlupp wasted the chance, heading over the Cardiff crossbar from eight yards out after connecting with Franck Moussa's cross.

At the other end Rob Earnshaw was looking lively and settled himself to lurk on the shoulder of the last defender, although the Cardiff striker's over-eagerness saw him fall foul of the offside flag too often.

Stephen McPhail had started for Cardiff, making a welcome return after cancer treatment , but the midfielder lasted just 29 minutes before picking up an injury and was replaced by Aron Gunnarsson to a standing ovation.

Cardiff settled down after that early interruption and Chris Weale was called into action when Earnshaw's strike partner Gestede clipped in a shot after being played through by Filip Kiss.

But the Leicester goalkeeper was helpless to prevent Cowie from breaking the deadlock soon after.

Left-back Andrew Taylor was allowed to advance unmolested and whipped in a fine cross that found Cowie, who flicked his header into the far corner.

Leicester pressed their opponents and Neil Danns threatened with a free-kick, although David Marshall got his positioning perfect to field the ball in his midriff.

But five minutes before half-time Leicester were level when Schlupp bamboozled two Cardiff defenders before finding Howard sliding in at the near post.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Leicester have now lost twice to Cardiff in a penalty shoot-out, having gone down in the 2009/10 play-off semi-finals

Cardiff had an early escape after the restart when Dyer was not closed down, but the midfielder's shot deflected away harmlessly off a blue shirt.

Kiss was putting in an impressive shift for Cardiff in midfield and the young Hungarian worked himself a sight of goal, only to be denied as John Pantsil hurled himself in front of the shot.

But the Foxes were also showing their teeth and Danns caused consternation in the Cardiff defence as he bore down on goal.

Darcy Blake did well to recover and challenge the midfielder before he could shoot, but the ball fell kindly to Dyer who smashed it into the bottom corner.

Back came Cardiff and a period of sustained pressure culminated in a brilliant equaliser from Gestede, who made himself space before unleashing a brilliant, dipping 25-yard shot that left Weale helpless.

Howard and Schlupp had late chances to snatch it for Leicester, but Marshall did well to deny both players and take the game into extra time.

Leicester replacement Yuki Abe's low shot had Marshall scrambling, before Earnshaw flashed a header across the face of goal at the other end.

In the second period Cowie had a free-kick in a promising position but could only send his kick over the bar, while Abe continued to threaten for the Foxes.

But neither side could conjure a winner in open play and penalties were needed to settle the outcome.

The first six penalties all whistled past the keepers, but Fernandes' nerve failed him on Leicester's seventh attempt and his kick went over the bar.

Cardiff captain Quinn stepped up to take responsibility, sending the ball past Weale and the Bluebirds into the fourth round.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (6)

Cardiff City

  • 01 Marshall
  • 03 Taylor (Naylor - 60' )
  • 12 Keinan Booked
  • 14 Quinn Booked
  • 04 Kiss
  • 08 Cowie
  • 23 Blake
  • 37 McPhail (Gunnarsson - 29' )
  • 10 Earnshaw
  • 15 Gestede
  • 20 Mason (Conway - 74' )

Substitutes

  • 30 Santiago
  • 06 Gerrard
  • 18 Naylor
  • 31 Evans
  • 07 Whittingham
  • 11 Conway
  • 17 Gunnarsson

Leicester

  • 21 Weale
  • 04 Pantsil
  • 05 Mills (Peltier - 46' )
  • 12 St. Ledger Booked
  • 16 Ball
  • 11 Dyer Booked
  • 17 Johnson (Abe - 91' )
  • 18 Moussa (Fernandes - 81' )
  • 23 Danns
  • 27 Schlupp
  • 09 Howard

Substitutes

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 02 Peltier
  • 30 Kennedy
  • 10 King
  • 22 Abe
  • 26 Fernandes
  • 20 Beckford
Ref: East
Att: 8,697

Match Stats

Shots

10 13

On target

6 7

Corners

5 9

Fouls

13 10

Live Text Commentary

127:32 Penalty

Penalty scored by Paul Quinn. Cardiff 7-6 Leicester on penalties.

126:53

Penalty missed by Gelson Fernandes.

126:21 Penalty

Penalty scored by Rudy Gestede. Cardiff 6-6 Leicester on penalties.

125:34 Penalty

Penalty scored by John Pantsil. Cardiff 5-6 Leicester on penalties.

125:01 Penalty

Penalty scored by Filip Kiss. Cardiff 5-5 Leicester on penalties.

124:40 Penalty

Penalty scored by Sean St. Ledger. Cardiff 4-5 Leicester on penalties.

124:12 Penalty

Penalty scored by Craig Conway. Cardiff 4-4 Leicester on penalties.

123:41 Penalty

Neil Danns scores a penalty. Cardiff 3-4 Leicester on penalties.

123:09 Penalty

Don Cowie scores a penalty. Cardiff 3-3 Leicester on penalties.

122:27 Penalty

Penalty scored by Yuki Abe. Cardiff 2-3 Leicester on penalties.

121:54 Penalty

Robert Earnshaw scores a penalty. Cardiff 2-2 Leicester on penalties.

121:31 Penalty

Penalty scored by Steve Howard. Cardiff 1-2 Leicester on penalties.

120:59 Penalty

Penalty scored by Lee Naylor. Cardiff 1-1 Leicester on penalties.

120:02 Penalty

Penalty scored by Lloyd Dyer. Cardiff 0-1 Leicester on penalties.

120:01

The players are ready for the drama of the penalty shoot-out.

120:00 +1:33

The match goes to a penalty shoot-out.

118:09

Free kick awarded for a foul by John Pantsil on Craig Conway. Free kick taken by Lee Naylor.

117:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Steve Howard on Rudy Gestede. David Marshall takes the free kick.

116:56

Free kick crossed by Michael Ball.

116:56 Booking

Booking The referee shows Paul Quinn a yellow card.

116:51

Paul Quinn is penalised for a handball.

112:28

The assistant referee signals for offside against Steve Howard. Indirect free kick taken by Dekel Keinan.

111:25

Aron Gunnarsson concedes a free kick for a foul on Gelson Fernandes. Michael Ball restarts play with the free kick.

110:33

Shot by Neil Danns from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

107:36

Craig Conway fouled by Lloyd Dyer, the ref awards a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Don Cowie from the free kick.

107:02

Don Cowie takes the inswinging corner, save made by Chris Weale.

105:01

The match restarts for the second half of extra time.

104:57

The offside flag is raised against Robert Earnshaw. Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

104:11

Foul by Filip Kiss on Yuki Abe, free kick awarded. Michael Ball takes the direct free kick.

103:12

Corner from the right by-line taken by Don Cowie, Aron Gunnarsson takes a shot. Lee Peltier gets a block in.

101:35

Neil Danns takes a shot. Save by David Marshall.

97:36

Steve Howard is ruled offside. David Marshall restarts play with the free kick.

95:18

John Pantsil has an effort at goal from outside the penalty area which goes wide right of the goal.

91:32

Rudy Gestede is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Chris Weale takes the free kick.

90:27

Corner taken right-footed by Neil Danns from the left by-line, Filip Kiss makes a clearance.

90:01 Substitution

Substitution Michael Johnson goes off and Yuki Abe comes on.

90:00 +4:49

The match has reached the end of normal time.

90:00 +3:46

Jeffery Schlupp takes a shot. Save made by David Marshall.

90:00 +1:56

Don Cowie takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Neil Danns manages to make a clearance.

89:41

Neil Danns has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

88:48

Steve Howard fouled by Filip Kiss, the ref awards a free kick. John Pantsil restarts play with the free kick.

87:16

Corner taken right-footed by Neil Danns from the left by-line, clearance made by Rudy Gestede.

86:23

Handball decision goes against Neil Danns. David Marshall takes the indirect free kick.

84:21

Craig Conway takes a shot. Save made by Chris Weale.

82:14

Corner taken right-footed by Neil Danns from the left by-line, Rudy Gestede makes a clearance.

81:13

The assist for the goal came from Darcy Blake.

81:13 Goal scored

Goal - Rudy Gestede - Cardiff 2 - 2 Leicester Rudy Gestede gets on the score sheet with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Cardiff 2-2 Leicester.

80:17

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rudy Gestede by Sean St. Ledger.

80:17 Substitution

Substitution Franck Moussa goes off and Gelson Fernandes comes on.

80:06

Darcy Blake takes the direct free kick.

80:06 Booking

Booking Sean St. Ledger is booked.

77:39

Unfair challenge on Filip Kiss by Michael Johnson results in a free kick. Craig Conway produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.

77:13 Booking

Booking Lloyd Dyer goes into the book.

76:06

Inswinging corner taken by Franck Moussa, clearance made by Aron Gunnarsson.

75:35

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Franck Moussa from the right by-line, clearance made by Rudy Gestede.

74:57

Lee Naylor challenges Neil Danns unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lloyd Dyer takes the direct free kick.

73:47 Substitution

Substitution Craig Conway joins the action as a substitute, replacing Joe Mason.

72:02 Booking

Booking Dekel Keinan receives a caution.

71:56

Dekel Keinan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jeffery Schlupp. John Pantsil takes the free kick.

70:36

Robert Earnshaw produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that goes wide left of the target.

65:45

Neil Danns takes a shot. Blocked by Paul Quinn.

65:51

Assist on the goal came from Neil Danns.

65:51 Goal scored

Goal - Lloyd Dyer - Cardiff 1 - 2 Leicester Lloyd Dyer finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Cardiff 1-2 Leicester.

65:45

Neil Danns takes a shot. Paul Quinn gets a block in.

63:16

Don Cowie takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Steve Howard makes a clearance.

62:40

Filip Kiss takes a shot. Sean St. Ledger gets a block in.

59:15 Substitution

Substitution Lee Naylor comes on in place of Andrew Taylor.

56:15

Foul by Jeffery Schlupp on Dekel Keinan, free kick awarded. David Marshall takes the free kick.

54:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aron Gunnarsson by Michael Johnson. Direct free kick taken by Aron Gunnarsson.

53:00

Steve Howard is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Aron Gunnarsson.

52:46

Neil Danns takes a shot. Save by David Marshall.

49:35

Steve Howard fouled by Dekel Keinan, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Johnson takes the direct free kick.

47:17

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Franck Moussa by Aron Gunnarsson. Free kick taken by Michael Ball.

46:28

Corner taken by Michael Johnson.

45:43

Corner taken right-footed by Franck Moussa from the left by-line to the near post, Rudy Gestede manages to make a clearance.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Lee Peltier joins the action as a substitute, replacing Matt Mills.

28:36

Corner taken by Franck Moussa from the right by-line, clearance by Dekel Keinan.

28:36 Substitution

Substitution (Cardiff) makes a substitution, with Aron Gunnarsson coming on for Stephen McPhail.

45:00 +2:39 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +1:49

Unfair challenge on Aron Gunnarsson by Lloyd Dyer results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Marshall.

43:02

Free kick awarded for a foul by Dekel Keinan on Steve Howard. Lloyd Dyer produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.

41:03

Don Cowie produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.

39:16

Assist by Jeffery Schlupp.

39:16 Goal scored

Goal - Steve Howard - Cardiff 1 - 1 Leicester Steve Howard finds the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Cardiff 1-1 Leicester.

36:19

Jeffery Schlupp fouled by Filip Kiss, the ref awards a free kick. Neil Danns produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, David Marshall makes a save.

32:46 Goal scored

Goal - Don Cowie - Cardiff 1 - 0 Leicester Don Cowie grabs a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Cardiff 1-0 Leicester.

31:45

Franck Moussa has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

28:36

Outswinging corner taken by Joe Mason, Sean St. Ledger makes a clearance.

28:36 Substitution

Substitution (Cardiff) makes a substitution, with Aron Gunnarsson coming on for Stephen McPhail.

27:43

Unfair challenge on Steve Howard by Dekel Keinan results in a free kick. Michael Ball takes the direct free kick.

27:23

Rudy Gestede takes a shot. Save by Chris Weale.

25:37

John Pantsil concedes a free kick for a foul on Don Cowie. Don Cowie restarts play with the free kick.

20:55

Robert Earnshaw gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean St. Ledger. Free kick taken by Michael Ball.

20:15

Michael Ball fouled by Rudy Gestede, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

18:19

Filip Kiss concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Ball. Free kick taken by Chris Weale.

17:16

Header by Lloyd Dyer from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

15:15

The referee blows for offside. Direct free kick taken by Michael Johnson.

10:42

Neil Danns challenges Filip Kiss unfairly and gives away a free kick. Filip Kiss restarts play with the free kick.

8:10

The referee blows for offside. Chris Weale restarts play with the free kick.

6:27

Robert Earnshaw is ruled offside. Michael Johnson takes the indirect free kick.

4:29

Franck Moussa takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Rudy Gestede manages to make a clearance.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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