Cardiff City started their away campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Derby County at Pride Park, despite a defensive crisis that forced two full-backs into central defence.
The Bluebirds arrived in Derby with defensive resources stretched to breaking point. Gabriel Osho was ruled out after hyper-extending his knee against Wrexham, leaving no recognised centre-backs available. Right-back Perry Ng and left-back Joel Bagan deputised in the heart of defence, while Ronan Kpakio and Calum Scanlon started at full-back.
Brian Barry-Murphy's makeshift side produced an impressive attacking display in the first half and twice found the net to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
Ashford opens scoring
Cardiff were under pressure early on, with Nathan Trott producing a fine save inside the opening two minutes before Joel Bagan cleared Bobby Clark's follow-up effort off the line moments later.
The visitors soon grew into the contest and came close to opening the scoring when Rubin Colwill's 20-yard strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute. Alex Robertson's corner was sent back into the six-yard box by Kpakio and Cian Ashford reacted instinctively, sweeping the ball into the bottom corner to put Cardiff ahead.
Derby responded and levelled nine minutes later through Carlton Morris. Bobby Clark's direct ball over the top caught Cardiff's defence out, with Morris outmuscling Ng before calmly slotting past Trott.
Salech restores lead
Cardiff continued to carry a threat and restored their advantage before half-time in style. Ollie Tanner won possession inside his own half and surged forward before finding Rubin Colwill on the underlap. Colwill showed composure to pick out Yousef Salech, who smashed beyond Zetterstrom for a superb team goal.
The Bluebirds held their lead at the interval despite further Derby pressure. But the hosts levelled just four minutes after the restart. Blackett-Taylor's cross took a deflection off Kpakio and fell kindly for Clark, who lashed a fierce finish into the net from close range.
Derby then looked capable of taking control, with Cardiff having to defend resolutely as their makeshift back four came under sustained pressure.
Turnbull and Willock introduced
Barry-Murphy responded with changes, bringing on David Turnbull and Chris Willock for Colwill and Ashford just before the hour mark. Turnbull made an immediate impact, producing an excellent defensive intervention at left-back before later going close with a 20-yard effort.
Cardiff were dealt another concern when Jack Moylan, who had impressed after moving into a more central role, went down clutching his thigh in the 69th minute. The summer signing was forced off, with Joel Colwill replacing him. Isaak Davies also came on for Tanner as Cardiff looked for a winner.
Willock repeatedly threatened from wide areas, while Davies came close to getting on the end of a number of crosses. Cardiff had to survive one final scare in stoppage time when Kpakio's loose pass sent Lars Salvesen through on goal, but Trott stood up well to make an important save.
Six minutes of stoppage time were eventually played, but the Bluebirds held firm to secure a valuable point. Given the circumstances, Barry-Murphy will be satisfied with the resilience his side showed at Pride Park.
The draw leaves Cardiff still searching for their first Championship win of the season, but they return to Wales with another point from a difficult away assignment.
