Stoke City 2-2 Cardiff City: Callum Robinson goal earns point for Bluebirds

Tyrese Campbell's goal was his third of the season

Callum Robinson's equaliser secured a 2-2 draw for Cardiff in an entertaining clash at Stoke City as the Championship resumed after the World Cup hiatus.

Cardiff went ahead through Ryan Wintle's calm finish on six minutes, but Tyrese Campbell fired Stoke level.

The Potters capped a frenetic start on 18 minutes when Liam Delap converted after Campbell's deflected effort.

But the Bluebirds equalised on 58 minutes through Robinson after Stoke were denied two strong penalty claims.

The point apiece is welcome for both clubs but they both remain in difficulty, with Stoke 18th and Cardiff 19th in the Championship.

Both Stoke and Cardiff were hoping to find a win as the Championship resumed, following an extremely disappointing campaign so far that has seen both clubs sack their manager.

The Potters began the contest just two points above the drop zone, with Cardiff a point worse off, far below the expectations of owners and fans alike at two clubs with recent Premier League history.

This was a return to competitive action for both clubs for the first time since Saturday, 12 November, with the hosts able to welcome back a player who impressed at the World Cup.

Stoke boss Alex Neil made two changes to the side beaten 2-0 at West Brom, with Australian international Harry Souttar coming into defence after playing in all four of the Socceroos' matches in Qatar.

Bluebirds boss Mark Hudson also made two changes from the Cardiff team beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United, with Wales internationals Rubin Colwill and Mark Harris both left on the bench after returning from Wales' World Cup squad.

Cardiff almost gifted Stoke the lead on four minutes when Callum O'Dowda gave away possession, but Ben Wilmot hit the side-netting.

That was against the run of play after a bright start from the Bluebirds and they went ahead on six minutes when Wintle applied a calm finish as he found the net through a crowd after Gavin Whyte's cross.

However, Cardiff's fragile confidence saw them fall behind within 12 minutes as two sons of former Premier League stars swiftly put Stoke in control.

Campbell - son of former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin - fired Stoke level after he was given the time and space to turn thanks to Josh Tymon's clever set-up.

Six minutes later Delap - son of former Southampton and Stoke defender Rory - finished from close range after Campbell's shot deflected fortuitously off Joe Ralls into his path, with Cardiff's defenders appealing in vain for an offside flag.

It was the hosts who headed into the break feeling aggrieved as they were denied two credible penalty claims when Cedric Kipre twice appeared to bundle Delap to the ground.

The Bluebirds took advantage of those reprieves and had already forced goalkeeper Jack Bonham to save brilliantly from Ralls' 20-yard shot when Robinson finished on 58 minutes after sub Kion Etete made an instant impact off the bench to provide the assist.

Etete then twice came close to putting Cardiff ahead, but he fired narrowly wide and saw a towering header brilliantly tipped over by Bonham as the game swung from end-to-end.

Cardiff continued to push for a winner and Harris' header was saved on 82 minutes, with both sides settling for a point.

Stoke City manager Alex Neil said:

"I thought we had an absolute stonewall penalty. I was really frustrated. I've seen it back and it's not a debate for me and those decisions decide games for us.

"That's a key decision in the match and they got it wrong.

"Arguably 2-2 was a fair result, but we 100% deserved that penalty.

"If we get that there is an opportunity to go 3-1 up and then the likelihood is the game is taken away from them."

Cardiff City manager Mark Hudson told BBC Sport Wales:

"It was the start we wanted and I think we felt it was a bit too easy and then we took our foot off the gas.

"We couldn't reorganise quick enough, we could have had the game taken away from us completely which we spoke about at half time.

"Then second half the subs that we made, they showed a willingness to come on and change the result which is what we will need going forward.

"I think we got away with one penalty if I'm honest, but we've had stuff go against us this season and sometimes it evens itself out."