Port Vale 2-3 Cardiff City

Striker Federico Macheda marked his Cardiff City competitive debut with a goal

Federico Macheda marked his Cardiff City debut with two goals against Port Vale to secure a Capital One Cup third-round place.

Joe Ralls had given the visitors the lead with a fine long-range shot, but Michael O'Connor produced an even better effort to bring Vale level.

Macheda converted a left-wing cross to restore Cardiff's lead, before rounding Vale goalkeeper Chris Neal one on one.

Michael Brown struck late to give Vale hope, but Cardiff rode out the danger.

Both managers made wholesale changes from their league defeats at the weekend.

Vale boss Micky Adams kept four players from the League One 2-0 home loss to Notts County, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer changed his entire Cardiff side after the 1-0 Championship defeat at Wolves.

That saw former Manchester United striker Macheda, 23, make his Bluebirds debut, while South Africa midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi and Spanish striker Javi Guerra made their full starts.

Instead it was captain for the night Ralls who broke the deadlock on 26 minutes, the 20-year-old midfielder capping a driving run with a fierce 25-yard drive that flew past Neal in the Vale goal.

Up to that point the home side had looked the more likely to open the scoring, with Louis Dodds drawing a great early save out of Cardiff keeper Simon Moore.

But Vale's heads did not go down and they levelled when a free-kick was touched into the path of O'Connor, who produced a sensational long-range shot that was even better than Ralls' earlier effort.

Cardiff re-established their lead after the break when left-back Declan John bustled his way to the edge of the area and his pacy low cross was turned in by Macheda.

Macheda claimed his second by rounding Neal after being played through by Guerra and just missed out on a hat-trick when he saw his late shot hit the crossbar.

Brown gave Vale hope with a smart shot on the turn, but Cardiff survived the remainder of time added on to advance to the third round, where they will entertain Bournemouth.

Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer:

"They (the players) have given me food for thought and I was very pleased with what I saw. The passing and movement the boys showed is the way I like to play football.

"I've always known Federico is a natural goalscorer since I was with him at Manchester United. He practises his finishing every day in training and I have no doubts about him.

"He's right in my thoughts now for Saturday. He will certainly play some part, whether that be starting or from the bench."

Port Vale manager Micky Adams:

"I thought it was a good game with both sides playing some decent football.

"I thought Cardiff were excellent. Their attitude was spot on and they had a lot of lads out there who will think they should be in Cardiff's first team.

"I decided to make a few changes myself because I've got a dressing room to manage. I don't want any of them to stagnate because I want all of them to be involved. Some of them did well and there were pleasing aspects."