Cardiff held their higher ranked opponents to a 1–1 draw with wing-half Joe Nicholson, who was deputising as a striker in the absence of Len Davies, scoring his side's goal. A 2–1 victory over Everton on 25 February was followed three days later by a 3–0 victory over Newcastle United in which Nicholson, still filling in as a forward, scored a brace. A two-week break due to FA Cup commitments meant Cardiff's next match was on 14 March against Nottingham Forest. A penalty from Nelson and a goal by Gill secured a third consecutive victory for the side. Cardiff suffered a 2–0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on 18 March and, with their FA Cup semifinal to be played soon after, several first team regulars were rested for a match against Bury the week before and replaced by fringe players, including Jack Lewis who made his only appearance of the season. The weakened side ultimately fell to a heavy 4–1 defeat. A further defeat to Manchester City extended the run of defeats to three before a 1–1 draw with Arsenal ended the run. The Times remarked that reaching the final of the FA Cup appeared to have distracted the side, stating "the edge was off the game early in the match" and noted the lack of celebration for Beadles' equalising goal. Results did improve for the side soon after and, despite injury concerns and international call-ups, they recorded consecutive home victories over Aston Villa, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers. After a goalless draw with league leaders Huddersfield Town, Cardiff ended its season by beating Liverpool 2–1, with goals from Beadles and Gill, and drawing 0–0 with relegated Preston North End. The side finished the campaign in 11th place. Partial league table Match results Key In result column, Cardiff City's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results Cup matches FA Cup Cardiff entered the FA Cup in the first round and were drawn against Third Division North side Darlington. Despite being considered heavy favourites, Cardiff could only manage a goalless draw in a result that was regarded as one of the surprise results of the round, with the home side being jeered off the pitch by their own supporters. The result was partly blamed on the substandard condition of the pitch at Cardiff's Ninian Park ground, with the surface being