Non-League Forest Green Rovers came from behind to hold Cardiff City to a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly this evening.
Cardiff created the first chance of the match with just over 10 minutes gone as Anthony Pilkington picked out Federico Macheda, but the striker was unable to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner.
Just after the half-hour mark, Elliott Frear tried his luck from distance for the home side, but his effort was always rising, failing to trouble the keeper.
The Championship team were also on the hunt from range when Joe Ralls blasted the ball towards goal with a dipping 25-yard shot, but the finish was tipped on the crossbar.
Both sides made a host of changes at half time, resulting in a goal for Joe Mason 10 minutes after the restart after Craig Noone played the ball into the box, allowing his teammate to slot it through the legs of Johnny Maxted.
The visitors had a chance to double their lead shortly after when Mason was brought down in the box, leaving Peter Whittingham to step up for a penalty, but Maxted tipped the spot kick wide.
Mason continued to cause problems as he burst into the box a few minutes later, but was unable to turn his finish in, allowing Forest Green to quickly break down the other end, resulting in Aaron O'Connor heading in to level the scores.
Whittingham twice had chances to make amends for his missed penalty in the closing stages, but he was twice denied by Maxted, leaving the sides to finish level.
Sian Cowper
