Jay Bothroyd salvaged a point for Cardiff in their npower Championship opener against Sheffield United as the sides drew 1-1. The Blades were leading through Ched Evans' early strike but were reduced to 10 men after just half an hour when youngster Matthew Lowton was shown a straight red card. And Cardiff, last season's beaten play-off finalists, dragged themselves level when Michael Chopra rounded United goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and teed up Bothroyd for the equaliser. The hosts were simply glad to get back to playing football after a turbulent summer off the pitch - they were hit with a transfer embargo which was only lifted on Friday. United took the lead when Evans could have been awarded a penalty when he was hauled down by Gabor Gypes, but the Wales international quickly got back to his feet when the ball broke to Leon Britton. The summer signing from Swansea pinged the ball back across goal and Evans was on hand to turn it past Cardiff keeper David Marshall. However, United were dealt a blow when Lowton, making only his third league appearance, was sent off by referee Peter Walton for a reckless high challenge on Kevin McNaughton. And City finally prised open the Blades rearguard on the hour mark when Simonsen came charging out of his goal to meet Chopra on the right of the penalty area. Chopra's superb control of the high ball allowed him to jink around the diving keeper and feed Bothroyd, who was able to slot the ball into the net despite two defenders standing on the goal-line.
Source: PA
Source: PA