Cardiff character pleases boss Mick McCarthy as they earn late point

Peterborough United v Cardiff City – Sky Bet Championship – Weston Homes Stadium
(Image credit: Joe Giddens)

Mick McCarthy hailed Cardiff saviour Aden Flint after the two-goal defender rescued a dramatic point at Peterborough.

City were staring at a first defeat of the campaign after conceding twice in three minutes early in the second half.

They were still in shock from teenage talent Harrison Burrows’ 49th-minute opener when they were stung by a second Posh goal from Siriki Dembele following a clinical counter-attack.

But City responded with an aerial bombardment of a Posh defence which lost influential captain Mark Beevers to injury.

It paid dividends late on as Marlon Pack picked out Flint for an 83rd-minute reply before again being the supplier of the cross for the last-gasp leveller in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

McCarthy said: “It certainly wasn’t the intention to leave it late like that – although it wasn’t the intention to start dreadfully in the second half and find ourselves 2-0 down either.

“I’m disgusted at the manner in which we conceded the two goals and we looked absolutely awful at that point.

“It was panic stations, but we got ourselves something from nothing really so I have to be delighted.

“Flinty was excellent and we know what he is capable of. We had cross after cross after cross in the last 10 minutes and you’re always going to fancy Aden, Sean (Morrison) or Kieffer (Moore) if they can get up early.

“I thought we showed we had plenty of character when we won 10 games, drew nine and only lost three after I came in last season.

“We’ve clearly not lost that despite the first 10 minutes of the second half knocking the stuffing out of us.”

Gutted Posh boss Darren Ferguson said it felt like a loss.

His men benefitted from late drama against Derby on Saturday but were the victims here.

He said: “I feel for my players because it feels like a defeat.

“A night’s sleep won’t make any difference to that. It’s a bad result for us.

“But at the same time I’m proud of them for a really good performance that fully deserved a victory.

“It’s just shame we couldn’t kill Cardiff off as we had a couple of chances to do that at 2-1.

“I thought we’d seen it through but unfortunately it cost us not taking them.

“When you come up against a team like that, who keep putting bigger players on, it becomes hard to stop and they managed to nick the draw.

“Losing Mark (Beevers) to a hamstring injury is a huge blow and having to take Jonno (Clarke-Harris) off was a big factor because he caused them all sorts of problems.

“But I’m juggling players who are nowhere near full fitness and I’ve got others out on top.”

Read more
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Liam Palmer of Sheffield Wednesday celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal during the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg match between Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough United at Hillsborough on May 18, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
'All week leading up to the second leg, I had the lads practise penalties in case of a shootout. They thought I was mad. When we won 5-1 and it went to penalties, I just smiled' How Sheffield Wednesday overturned 4-0 play-off defeat under Darren Moore
 Vitor Pereira, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, celebrates following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Aston Villa FC at Molineux on February 01, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England
Vitor Pereira believes he’s found a key commodity inside Wolverhampton Wanderers that can keep them in the Premier League
Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (R) celebrates after his deflected shot makes it 2-1 during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on February 3, 2025
Stamford Bridge’s volume can help Chelsea secure the Champions League football they crave and need
Chelsea's English defender #06 Levi Colwill (C) celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on February 25, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
How Chelsea’s unshakable team spirit is shining through despite off-field chaos
Daniel Farke
Daniel Farke spells out the details required for Leeds United to win Premier League promotion
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Jay Stansfield of Birmingham City celebrates his first goal during the Sky Bet League One match between Birmingham City FC and Wrexham AFC at St Andrewís at Knighthead Park on September 16, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
‘He’s been an absolute monster of a buy’: the record-breaking striker firing dominant Birmingham City back to the Championship
Latest in
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
'That Alexander-Arnold spoke more with a goal gesture than he did with any other communication to supporters is one of the reasons his move to Real Madrid isn’t being accepted too kindly on Merseyside': How it got to this stage with Liverpool and Trent
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Latest in News
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.
'I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I've done it all, I need to keep feeling emotions': Raphael Varane opens up on why he had to leave 'indescribable' Real Madrid for Manchester United
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report