A stunning George Boyd strike sent Peterborough United through to the third round of the Carling Cup as Championship side Cardiff City were knocked out by a stirring Posh comeback.

Daniel Drinkwater screwed a shot wide of the target on four minutes as Cardiff, without Craig Bellamy, created the first opportunity of the evening. Two minutes later, a swerving effort from George Boyd had goalkeeper Tom Heaton scrambling, but the ball clipped the side-netting to Cardiff's relief.

Seyi Olofinjana sent a weak shot wide of the target after a long throw from Mathews caused a bit of panic in the Posh back-line as the Championship side continued their strong side.

It was certainly a quiet opening to proceedings though with very few goal-mouth action to describe and the likelyhood of a repeat of the 4-4 draw between the two sides at London Road last term looked remote.

Grant McCann, called up for the Northern Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in September, fired wide from 20-yards on 19 minutes after working a short corner well.

Jason Koumas sent a spectacular volley over the crossbar on 22 minutes as the Bluebirds continued to look the more the threatening. On 25 minutes, a long throw from Matthews sent Drinkwater clear, but he shot across the face of goal and wide.

Bothroyd was causing problems down the left and his cross picked out Koumas, who took a clever touch, but saw his low shot comfortably saved by goalkeeper Joe Lewis. It was all one-way traffic as Cardiff continued to press and Lewis had to be alert to deny Drinkwater after a clever pass from Whittingham.

The goal finally arrived on 31 minutes and it was definitely deserved, Jay BOTHROYD climbing highest to power home a header past the despairing dive of Lewis after a deep cross by Koumas.

The goal livened Posh up and Mclean saw a goal-bound effort well blocked by Mark Hudson and from the resulting corner, Ryan Bennett headed wide. A stinging 25-yard effort from Arron Davies against the side he supports, was claimed by Heaton on 37 minutes.

McCann saw a powerful effort pushed around the post by Heaton before a cross from the same player had the goalkeeper scrambling, but it drifted wide of the upright. McCann sent a free-kick over the bar, but at least Posh were having a few shots on goal and stopping Cardiff from getting on the ball in the final third where they had obvious talents.

Half-time: Posh 0-1 Cardiff City

Mackail-Smith was denied an immediate response after the break by a superb by goalkeeper Heaton and moments later, he was at it again, tipping a George Boyd effort around the post. Posh had made an excellent start to the second period and the crowd of nearly 4,000 were behind them.

On 50 minutes, McCann was again denied by Heaton and then Mackail-Smith created a great chance for Boyd, but his right-footed effort from three yeards was skied over the crossbar. Koumas cut inside Nana at the other end, but as he stumbled he stabbed his shot wide of the target.

Cardiff appeared to have weathered the early storm in the second half and Chris Burke was inches away from doubling the advantage as his fierce left-foot shot went just past the post.

Aaron Mclean had a similar effort at the other end after some poor defensive play from the visitors, Hudson gifting possession to Craig Mackail-Smith on the edge of the penalty area.

On 63 minutes, Heaton excelled himself again, denying Davies after excellent work from Boyd before Koumas shot straight at Lewis after a swift counter-attack from Dave Jones' men.

Aaron Mclean glanced a header past the upright on 70 minutes after an excellent centre from McCann and with 20 minutes remaining, just one goal separated the two sides. The equaliser arrived on 74 minutes and it was a stunning strike from MACKAIL-SMITH who took a touch and rifled home an unstoppable left-foot shot past Heaton and into the back of the net.

McCann was cautioned by the referee for foul which led to a disagreement between both set's of players, before McPhail was replaced by Wildig. Langmead produced a fine tackle while on the floor on 87 minutes before Wildig fired over from just inside the area.

On 88 minutes, Posh got their noses in front and it was another unbelievable goal from BOYD who, on his weaker right foot, curled a stunning effort into the top right hand corner of the net.

Davies sent a 20-yard drive wide of the target before Charlie Lee was introduced from the substitutes bench with Davies the man making way. Four minutes of added time was signalled by the fourth official, could Posh hold on? Boyd again terrorising the defence, but this time Heaton held on to his right-foot shot.

Final Score: Posh 2-1 Cardiff City

Posh: Lewis, Rowe, Nana, Langmead, Bennett, Wesolowski, McCann, Boyd, Davies (sub Lee 89min), Mclean, Mackail-Smith. Unused subs: Collis, Zakuani, Hibbert, Piergianni, Mendez-Laing, Tomlin.

Cardiff: Heaton, Naylor (sub Quinn 88min), Hudson, Whittingham, Bothroyd, Burke, Gerrard, Koumas, Olofinjana (sub McPhail 33min, sub Wildig 82min), Drinkwater, Matthews. Unused subs: Marshall, Gyepes, Taiwo, Jarvis.

Attendance: 3,806 (299 Cardiff fans)