CARDIFF 0, BRISTOL CITY 0

JAY BOTHROYD was left to regret his wasteful finishing as Cardiff were held at home.

The striker is still awaiting his first goal for the Bluebirds since his £300,000 summer move from Wolves.

He had enough chances to sink Gary Johnson's Robins in this entertaining Ninian Park clash but lacked composure in front of goal.

Boss Dave Jones said: "I thought this was a great game to watch, even though it finished 0-0.

"Jay had three or four chances to score his first goal for us but maybe he was trying too hard.

"He's working so hard and I'm sure the goals will come for him."

Bristol City also had chances to take all three points but, in the end, both teams settled for a share of the spoils, which maintains their unbeaten records.

There was no Ninian Park backlash against Paul Parry. The Bluebirds striker stunned Welsh football last week when he quit John Toshack's squad two days before the World Cup qualifier in Russia after failing to appear in the Group Four opener with Azerbaijan.

The Cardiff fans sang Parry's name before and during the match before giving him a standing ovation when he was replaced by Ross McCormack on 65 minutes.

Jones added: "Paul is playing for Cardiff and the fans will judge him on his performances for us.

"He was emotionally drained after everything that's happened but he put in a fair shift and that's why he got the applause he did."

Robins chief Johnson was dismissed from the dugout in this fixture last season as his side slumped to a 2-1 loss.

So he was far happier with yesterday's outcome.

He said: "A draw was the right result but I'm amazed it ended goalless because both sides tried to win the game.

"It was a good 0-0 for the neutrals. I can go for Sunday lunch satisfied with the result!"

Perfect

Bothroyd, 26, had the perfect opportunity to open his Bluebirds account on six minutes.

Louis Carey's slip gifted the ex-Coventry hitman a clear run at goal but Adriano Basso came off his line to thwart him.

Joe Ledley did manage to beat the Robins' Brazilian keeper, only to see his 20-yarder shave the post.

The visitors also hit the woodwork when Nicky Maynard crashed a 30-yard effort against the bar on 39 minutes.

Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton then palmed away another Maynard effort after the break, while his opposite number Basso stopped Peter Whittingham's snapshot.

More chances were exchanged when Bristol's Michael McIndoe had an effort cleared off the line by Roger Johnson, while Bothroyd was once again unable to beat Basso with a late strike.

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