Neil Etheridge 5
Nothing he could have done about any of the goals, but was just OK with his hands. Still looks bizarrely flustered with the ball at his feet.
Lee Peltier 5
Caught napping for the second goal, simply holding on to Bambo Diaby when he turned home at the far post.
Curtis Nelson 6
Let his man run free for Barnsley's first but apart from that made some crucial interventions.
Aden Flint 7
The pick of the defenders. Scored City's first goal and made a few bone-crunching challenges at the other end.
Joe Bennett 5
More joy down the right-hand side for Barnsley and the second goal came down there, too. Cardiff also need him to produce more in attack.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 6
Toiled away tirelessly and had some joy in the first half. Notably drifted away in the second half.
Leandro Bacuna 6
Like most of the midfield, started well but began to look overrun after the break.
Marlon Pack 6
Not his finest game in a Cardiff City shirt but is the one player in that midfield who organises and tries to instil calm.
Junior Hoilett 6
Blew hot and cold but when he was hot he was on fire. The confidence is back and those feet are occasionally dazzling again.
Lee Tomlin 8 (Star man)
Was anonymous for longer parts of the match than we have become accustomed to, but produced two moments of magic, stunning ball for Ward's goal and a brilliant late strike of his own. Superb.
Gary Madine 6
Agony for him when his goal was ruled out through offside.
SUBS
Josh Murphy (On for Hoilett 59) 6
Looked zippy when he came on. Slid through a brilliant ball for Ward which was only just cut out.
Danny Ward (On for Madine 65) 7
Was on for only three minutes before he finished expertly past Samuel Radlinger. Made a brilliant impact.
Will Vaulks (On for Bacuna 74) 6
Replaced Bacuna;s energy in the middle of the park and was a solid addition in a crucial period of the match.
