Cardiff City booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup this evening with a 3-1 victory against Colchester United.
Joe Ralls's deflected shot gave the Bluebirds a first-half lead, and Kadeem Harris stretched that advantage eight minutes after the interval with his acrobatic effort.
The hosts looked to have made certain of their progression when substitute Kenwyne Jones headed home just a minute after being introduced, although Freddie Sears's strike gave Colchester something to hold onto in the final stages of the game.
It was not to be in the end for the U's, though, as Russell Slade's men held out to secure a much-needed victory.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage from the Cardiff City Stadium below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the FA Cup third-round meeting between Cardiff City and Colchester United.
The visitors will be glad to put their poor league form behind them this evening, coming into this game on the back of just one win in their last night outings. It has been an equally poor festive period for the Bluebirds, meanwhile, who find themselves nine points off a playoff place with over half of the season now played.
Tonight is all about the cup, though, and it offers both sides a real chance to build some belief in the early stages of the New Year. With kickoff less than 30 minutes away, let's take a look at how the two teams line up for this one...
TEAM NEWS!
CARDIFF CITY STARTING XI: Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone, Macheda
COLCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: Walker, Clohessy, Gorkss, Eastman, Kpekawa, Fox, Moncur, Szmodics, Hewitt, Sears, Massey
So a rather mixed looking Cardiff side named by manager Russell Slade on the whole, then, with a combination of experienced heads blended with some of the fringe players. As expected Simon Moore comes into the side in place of captain David Marshall, while Declan John has been chosen at left-back. There is also a place in the Bluebirds defence for former Colchester man Matt Connolly, who has been arguably Cardiff's most consistent player this season.
Craig Noone and Kadeem Harris have been selected in the wide roles, while Peter Whittingham and Federico Macheda also feature. So certainly a stronger looking lineup than many had perhaps expected, but this is still not quite the home side's full strength starting XI.
In terms of the visitors, Tony Humes is unable to call upon promising youngster Rhys Healey who is ineligible against his parent club this evening. There is a starting spot for former West Ham United starlet Freddie Sears, however, who is looking to add to his collection of 12 goals already this campaign.
Ben Gordon also misses out for the U's having picked up a knock in the goalless draw against Crawley Town last time out, meaning that Cole Kpekawa, another promising youngster in the squad on loan from Queens Park Rangers, deputises at the back. All-in-all it appears to be an attacking lineup set out by Humes, who is looking to get his side's season back on track here tonight.
BENCH WATCH!
CARDIFF CITY SUBS: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones
COLCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lewington, Eastmond, Watt, Bonnie, Lapslie, Sembie-Ferris, Young
Plenty of attacking talent for Slade to call upon if needed, then, with Adam Le Fondre and Kenwyne Jones - both strikers who knew how to find the net in the Premier League - watching on from the bench. Colchester have some familiar named among their backups, also, including Arsenal academy graduate Sanchez Watt and Craig Eastmond.
This photo was taken a little while ago, but we are expecting the ground to be pretty much 90% empty by the time kickoff comes around (more on that in a bit)...
Well Cardiff come into this game with fan unrest at an all-time low following recent events on and off the field. A poor run of form, a bad style of play under the new manager, little resolve shown by controversial owner Vincent Tan, and, well, the time of year, has led to this game being attended by a crowd of around just 4,000 this evening.
The previous lowest attendance for a fixture at this stadium came back in 2009 when Dagenham & Redbridge were in town. 5,545 fans attended that cup game, but the figure is expected to be a fair bit lower than that this evening. That just goes to highlight the task that Slade has on his hands here at the Cardiff City Stadium; finishing anywhere lower than the top six will be considered a poor season for the Bluebirds.
While Cardiff look completely disjointed as a united on the field at the moment, the same can be said of Colchester in terms of their results. One win in nine has seen them drop into the division's relegation zone with half of the season now played, and the situation is beginning to look bleak for the U's.
They have already had to see off two sides before getting to this stage - beating Peterborough United 1-0 in the last round after seeing off lower league Gosport Borough a round one. A run in this competition provides just a little hope for supporters, perhaps, and they have a real chance of pulling off an upset this evening against a Cardiff side equally out of sorts.
PREDICTION: There may be 35 places between these two sides in the league standings, but I believe that this will be a tight affair. Colchester have made just the one change to their side, and that solidity will allow them to pull off an upset and record a 1-1 draw this evening.
KICKOFF! FA Cup round three is officially underway as Colchester, in their yellow shirts and black shorts, look to attack their opponents from the off.
There's understandably a rather strange and sombre atmosphere inside the Cardiff City Stadium, with just a few thousands supporters in attendance here tonight. Things have yet to settle down on the field, meanwhile, as Whittingham, Ralls and Adeyemi look to take control of the midfield battle.
Three minutes on the clock and Colchester win the game's first corner with Ben Turner putting the ball behind. Gorkss was the target but he was unable to get any contact on the ball. Nervous start from the home side.
Harris uses his pace to work some space down the right, although his cross left a lot to be desired. The Bluebirds, sporting their all-red kit this evening, have grown into the game a little more in the last couple of minutes.
Macheda does well to win Cardiff their second corner of the tie, although the hosts were unable to capitalise on the set piece. The ball did come back into the box, though, and Adeyemi managed to get away the game's first shot on goal which Walker easily handled.
SAVE! Connolly, one of the more experienced heads on the field tonight, is lucky to avoid a booking following a rash challenge, which leads to a free kick for Colchester. Sears took the resulting set piece from around 25 yards out which Moore kept hold of. Easy save in the end.
Magic of the FA Cup, indeed...
SAVE! Joe Ralls forces a diving save out of Walker with his drive from around 25 yards out. A good attempt from the youngster as Cardiff look to make the breakthrough.
Not a great deal for those inside the stadium to get too excited about at the moment. Ralls' long-range effort aside it has been a pretty quiet opening 15 minutes or so. Cardiff edge the possession stakes 65% to 35% at the moment, but have nothing to show for their share of the ball.
Moore plucks a ball out of the air and immediately launches the ball forward, but Cardiff are unable to take control of the situation. It is the visiting side who are looking more composed on the ball at the moment.
Incidentally, the referee this evening is James Linington of the Isle of Wight. He has officiated 22 matches this season, dishing out 59 bookings and nine reds - including one in a Cardiff game earlier this campaign against Reading.
CLOSE! Gorkss comes within inches of giving Colchester a surprise lead in South Wales. Sears initially won a corner after Turner blocked the former West Ham striker's shot, and the resulting set piece was curled toward the front post where Gorkss powered a header narrowly wide. Poor marking from the Bluebirds; they are lucky not to be behind.
It's a case of 'same old' for Cardiff at the moment, as they struggle to create any real openings. Noone and Harris offer width, but they are struggling to get the most out of Macheda.
Harris is caught by the boot of Gavin Massey, although the U's forward somehow avoids a booking. Harris looks as though he will be okay to continue as he limbers towards the sideline.
It's been a very flat opening half an hour or so to this contest with chances at a minimum. Ralls fired away Cardiff's best effort which forced Walker into making a decent stop, while Gorkss came within a few inches of heading the League One side ahead a short while ago. Let's just hope that there is better to come...
OFF THE BAR! And right on cue Declan John shows some attacking intent by taking up a central position and getting away a shot, which is deflected behind for a corner. Whittingham swung in the resulting cross which then came straight back off the bar. It wouldn't have been the first time that he's scored from that angle in his career, either - desperately unlucky!
Harris is now out on the left-hand side and his trickery earns Cardiff a free kick in a decent position out wide. Whittingham swung it in, only for Fox to head it behind at the near post. Can the Bluebirds turn this spell of possession into a goal?
GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 1-0 COLCHESTER UNITED (RALLS)
They sure can! Whittingham's corner kick was not properly dealt with by the visitors, with Ralls taking range from distance to put Cardiff ahead. The ball took a deflection off Kpekawa on the way through which left Walker with little chance to keep it out.
That deflection of QPR loanee Kpekawa may actually see that Ralls strike go down as an own goal, but he deserves all the credit for getting a shot away and making the most of his side's spell of pressure. Can Colchester respond before the interval?
SAVE! It's another great stop from Walker, who pushes aside Adeyemi's shot from the edge of the box. The Bluebirds have looked far more positive over the past seven or eight minutes, and they could well double their advantage before the interval at this rate.
SAVE! Well this game has finally come to life over the last few minutes! Clohessy did brilliantly to pick out Massey in space in a good position inside the opposition area, but the U's striker failed to get the better of Moore who got down to push the ball aside.
Colchester looking the stronger side as we enter the final five minutes of the half following that sustained spell of pressure from the Championship outfit. They have looked dangerous from corner situations this evening, and although they gave their opponents another little scare a moment ago, City still hold their slender lead.
SHOT! Whittingham moves into a more advanced position and latches onto a loose ball around 28 yards from the opposition goal. He has scored a few fair goals from that range in his career, but on this instance his strike is straight into the hands of Walker.
One minute of time has been added on at the first half, as Cardiff look to keep hold of their advantage heading into the interval.
HALF TIME: CARDIFF CITY 1-0 COLCHESTER UNITED
Referee James Linington brings the first half to a close with Cardiff one goal to the good. Cole Kpekawa is being credited with an own goal after he deflected Joe Ralls' strike into the back of his own net.
The game took a while to get going in truth; Ralls' earlier attempt and a header from Gorkss the only real talking points up until that breakthrough goal. Whittingham did come close to finding the net also, with his corner kick coming back off the crossbar.
UPDATE: There is another FA Cup tie taking place this evening in the second round of the competition. MK Dons are trailing 1-0 at home to Chesterfield at the interval courtesy of a Gary Roberts goal.
A reminder of the options available from the bench for both sides. Cardiff have attacking talent in Le Fondre and Jones, but it is Colchester who are searching for a goal in the second 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH!
CARDIFF CITY SUBS: Wilson, Fabio, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Kim, Le Fondre, Jones
COLCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lewington, Eastmond, Watt, Bonnie, Lapslie, Sembie-Ferris, Young
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Cardiff get proceedings back underway in South Wales, looking to build on their first-half advantage. It may be a cliche, but the next goal in this game really is huge!
Colchester showing more attacking impetus following the restart as they get a shot away on goal which is well blocked by Turner. Cardiff may have to withstand a fair bit of pressure during spells of this second half.
Hewitt draws a challenge out of Turner on the edge of the Cardiff penalty area, which gifts the visitors a free kick in a decent crossing position. They opted to play it short instead, though, which proved to be the wrong choice as Cardiff's outrushing players blocked away a long shot on goal.
Macheda, who has not had his finest of games this evening, is almost played in by Whittingham, but the creative midfielder's attempted through-ball was just about cut out in the end. The former Aston Villa man is finding himself in far more advanced positions tonight, although he has so far been unable to truly make a difference.
GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 2-0 COLCHESTER UNITED (HARRIS)
The City winger, drafted into the side in recent weeks following some impressive showings for the development team, takes his opportunity with both hands by bagging his first goal in the FA Cup. A cross into the box was helped on by Turner, and Harris managed to acrobatically turn the ball home beyond Walker.
Colchester have it all to do now, then, as the Bluebirds add to their first-half goal. It has hardly been a top-class showing from the Welsh outfit, but they have done enough to warrant a two-goal lead as we approach the hour mark.
CLOSE! Harris has got a taste for goal now, as he comes within a few inches of doubling his personal tally for the night. He latched onto Noone's cross, but flashed it narrowly wide of goal in the end.
CARDIFF SUB: Macheda has been devoid of any real service this evening, and it is perhaps unsurprising to see Jones brought on in his place. The Trinidad and Tobago international leads the Bluebirds scoring charts this campaign - can he add to his tally?
GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 3-0 COLCHESTER UNITED (JONES)
He sure can! On the field for less than a minute, Jones guides Whittingham's corner into the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season. What an impact!
COLCHESTER SUB: Sanchez Watt is introduced in place of Gavin Massey for the U's. Their poor run of form looks set to continue.
YELLOW CARD! Watt makes an instant impact of his own kind... picking up a booking around a minute after being introduced. It was the correct call from the referee, too, who went into his book for the first time following the midfielder's challenge on Brayford.
Well Watt has certainly been involved since being introduced, as he fires wide from the edge of the box. It was a poor attempt in the end, however - it's just not the visiting side's night.
SAVE! Noone goes on a fine run through the middle and gets a shot away at the end of it, which forces Walker into making another save down low. He may have conceded three times this evening, but the 23-year-old has done well between the sticks.
CHANCE! Whittingham delivers yet another fine delivery which Adeyemi really should have burried. It fell to him a little awkwardly a few yards from goal in his defence, but that is still a poor miss from the former Birmingham City midfielder.
CARDIFF SUB: Adam Le Fondre enters the fray in place of Whittingham. He has found goals hard to come by since joining the Bluebirds in the summer, so he will be keen to make an impact in the remaining 20 minutes.
GOAL! CARDIFF CITY 3-1 COLCHESTER UNITED (SEARS)
A tidy finish from Sears to pull a goal back for the U's, and it is the least that he deserves for his workrate. Watt laid off his teammate who was left in space inside the area, and the former West Ham man fired it beyond Moore.
The League One side are the ones asking all the questions at the moment, and home supporters seem to be getting slightly restless. The U's saw their latest spell on the ball come to an end when Moore plucked the ball out of the air to relieve some of the pressure.
Things have gone a little edgy since that Colchester goal as far as the hosts are concerned. They aren't exactly sweating just yet, but a second goal from Tony Humes' charges could change all that.
Cardiff are certainly making life difficult for themselves, which pretty much sums up their season to date. As long as they maintain a two-goal advantage things shouldn't get too messy, but Colchester are pressing for another.
Watt is involved again, although not for the first time he perhaps takes the wrong option on the ball. He was given plenty of space to shoot right on the edge of the box, although with others better placed he may have taken another touch, in the end blasting well over the bar.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Brazilian Fabio da Silva is introduced for the final five minutes in place of Noone, while Sembie-Ferris replaces Hewitt for United.
Sembie-Ferris almost did a Kenwyne Jones by making an instant impact, but a great challenge from Turner denied him a shot on goal from close range. Colchester really upping the pressure now.
CHANCE! Cardiff really holding on at the back, as Colchester somehow squander the chance to pull back a second goal. Sembie-Ferris again created the opening but he couldn't quite get the ball over the line as Connolly got back to clear.
Well Cardiff managed to survive the pressure put on them by their opponents, and they have almost certainly done enough now to enter the proverbial hat for Monday's draw. Four minutes of added on time to be played in South Wales.
Officially the lowest attendance for a competitive fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium...
Colchester are knocking the ball around at the moment but not really asking any questions of the Bluebirds' backline. They look resigned to defeat as we enter the final minute of the game.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 3-1 COLCHESTER UNITED
Cardiff City have booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, seeing off Colchester United 3-1 in a rather comfortable manner in the end.
Having fallen three goals behind, Sears pulled one back for the U's and the visitors made life difficult for their opponents for a short spell, but in the end the Bluebirds showed enough resilience to see the game out and progress through.
Well that's all from me for this evening, but stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you a full match report and all the reaction from the Cardiff City Stadium. Thanks for joining!
