Dragons leave fans frustrated as Cup adventure is ended

WILL FISH'S thumping volley secured League One side Cardiff a spot in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals as Wrexham were punished for their poor performance in last night's all-Wales encounter.

- By SIMON PEACH

The Red Dragons' dreams of reaching the last eight of the competition for the first time since 1978 went up in smoke as the ambitious Championship outfit fell to a disheartening defeat at a subdued STOK Cae Ras.

Wrexham substitute Kieffer Moore equalised against his former club, who had deservedly led through Yousef Salech, but Cardiff were not to be denied as Fish's fizzing finish earned a 2-1 victory in the sides' first meeting in 21 years.

The Bluebirds are in the quarterfinal draw for the first time since they reached the 2011-12 final following a triumph to cherish in north Wales.

Wrexham were booed at the break after Phil Parkinson's side put in a ponderous first-half display in which Salech scored an early opener and the impressive Rubin Colwill struck a free-kick off the crossbar.

Substitute Moore's towering header breathed new life into the hosts, but Fish's strike ensured there was no memorable comeback story for the next series of 'Welcome to Wrexham.