Joe Mason opened the scoring early on as Cardiff City secured a slender 1-0 half-time lead away to Blackburn Rovers tonight.

Only five minutes elapsed before the visitors moved ahead, as Joe Mason latched on to Lee Peltier's through-ball before slotting past David Raya.

Nevertheless, Blackburn initially responded well to the setback and came close to equalising on the nine-minute mark.

Goalkeeper David Marshall was handed a first start of the season after serving out a three-match ban, but there was no sign of rust as he kept out Nathan Delfouneso with a smart save.

Their momentum petered out and City almost doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Anthony Pilkington's drive deflected narrowly wide of Raya's post.

Minutes later, Kagisho Dikgacoi drove inches wide from range after Raya spilled Joe Ralls's effort following a corner as the Bluebirds looked in full control.

It was Rovers who finished the half on top, as Shane Duffy spurned a good chance to grab a timely equaliser but he smashed over the bar from close range as the visitors survived.