By Sam Hill
Cardiff City were held to a 1-1 draw by Stockport County at the Cardiff City Stadium, bringing their eight-game home winning streak to an end.
This marked the Bluebirds’ first home draw of the league season in a feisty affair in the capital.
Kyle Wootton opened the scoring for the visitors as he netted his 12th league goal of the season. The striker tapped home after a parried shot by Nathan Trott from Josh Cogley.
Joel Colwill levelled in additional time at the end of the first half, following City’s best move of the opening 45 minutes.
Ollie Tanner and Perry Ng linked well down the right-hand side before Colwill was found on the edge of the area and sent a shot sailing past Hinchcliffe.
Despite all the goal action coming before half-time, it was a first half marred by controversy. Yousef Salech, fresh from signing a new contract, had a nasty aerial collision with Brad Hills, with a long delay ensuing.
The 6ft 5ins Dane had treatment for over 12 minutes and was eventually stretchered off and replaced by Callum Robinson.
Tensions began to mount inside the Cardiff City Stadium with the home faithful growing frustrated by some of the refereeing decisions that went against them in the opening half.
The Bluebirds enjoyed large spells of possession at the beginning of the second half but largely left Ben Hinchcliffe in the Stockport goal untroubled.
After a dip in momentum from the visitors, Stockport boss Dave Challinor opted to make his first change just short of the hour mark. A straight swap substitution as Jack Diamond replaced Benony Andresson.
Bristol City loanee Ben Stokes sent a rasping shot from 30 yards just wide of goal after a good move from the Hatters.
Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy responded to this lull in the game with a double attacking substitution in the 68th minute as Omari Kellyman and Chirs Willock replaced Ollie Tanner and goalscorer Colwill respectively.
Both sides were culpable at times of losing possession too easily and the visitors sensed an opportunity to try and steal all three points.
Challinor opted to shuffle his pack with just 10 minutes left with captain Ollie Norwood replaced by Ben Osborn. Also, right centre-half Joseph Oluwu was switched for left-winger Jid Okeke in a positive attacking switch.
Okeke made an instant impact sending a dangerous low cross just seconds after coming on but it was marshalled well by the Cardiff defence.
Soon after, Robinson had a glorious chance to nick all three points for the hosts after Willock slipped a neat through-ball into his path. However, the Irishman was unable to lift his effort over Hinchcliffe who saved the low shot.
Despite their winning home streak being ended here, the Bluebirds can take the positives of fellow automatic promotion hopefuls Bradford losing out to Huddersfield. This opens a 10-point gap between the capital city club and Bradford in third place.