Cardiff 0 Huddersfield 0: Lee Mason penalty controversy illuminates bore draw

HUDDERSFIELD were denied a great chance to win only their third game of the season after ref Lee Mason performed a U-turn on his decision to give them a penalty.

Mason pointed to the spot in the 76th minute after it looked as though Joe Bennett had brought down Florent Hadergjonaj in the box.

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However, after checking with his assistant, Mason changed his mind -- much to Cardiff's relief as they climb out of the bottom three -- albeit temporarily.

That was the only highlight of a drab match that saw little in the way of clear-cut chances or, in truth, any real quality.

Jason Puncheon, who was given his league debut by Huddersfield after joining on loan from Crystal Palace, looked the best on display.

He almost opened the scoring on eight minutes but his shot from 30-yards went narrowly wide.

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But it was Cardiff who enjoyed the better of early possession, while Huddersfield defender Christopher Schindler was lucky to escape with just a booking for a poor tackle on Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

Mendez-Laing then turned provider when he burst down the right and sent a teasing ball into the box for Junior Hoilett yet Hadergjonaj came in with a strong challenge.

Both sides continued to carve out half-chances.

While Wagner was left seething when Harry Arter hacked down Steve Mounie as he raced towards goal, Sol Bamba felt he should have had a penalty for a handball.

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Mendez-Laing then made a fantastic last-ditch challenge to deny Erik Durm a shot at goal and Mounie had a chance tipped over the bar while Sean Morrison tried a through-ball but Bamba was ruled offside.

The second-half followed a similar pattern of few clear-cut chances as Puncheon and Alex Pritchard had long-range efforts blocked.

Callum Paterson then had a chance that looped off Schindler while sub Rhys Healey was then beaten to the ball by Lossl as he chased down a through ball.

And as David Wagner raged at seeing a penalty decision overturned the visitors were unable to rouse themselves in the latter stages as a huge opportunity to reignite their survival bid came and went.