Stunned boss Jones ‘sorry’ for blowing it

MANAGER Dave Jones apologised to Cardiff’s fans after their automatic promotion hopes were shattered by a 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough.

The Bluebirds were looking to keep the pressure on Norwich in the race for second place in the npower Championship but the game was over as a contest inside 21 minutes as Leroy Lita, Barry Robson and Richard Smallwood all struck for the visitors to condemn Cardiff to their heaviest home defeat since a 3-0 reverse to Ipswich at Ninian Park in April 2009.

The result means the Bluebirds will have to be content with a place in the play-offs, after Norwich beat Portsmouth 1-0.