QUAKERS picked up just one point on their travels this week, following a hard-earned point at Scunthorpe United on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City on Tuesday night, writes Andy Brown.

Gary Bennett's side's alacrity at conceding early goals cost them dear in both games.

At Ninian Park, Quakers' reshuffled defence started shakily and within five minutes the home side were ahead through Robert Earnshaw.

There was a further reorganisation after 25 minutes when Neil Aspin was forced off with a head wound needing ten stitches. He was replaced by debutant Jordan Tait, who proceeded to have a useful game on the right.

In a bad-tempered game, both Richard Hodgson and Thomas Butler hit the woodwork for Quakers, but, as they pressed for an equaliser, they allowed the Bluebirds to score a second through Kevin Evans.

Afterwards Bennett was furious with the challenge on Aspin and a later two-footed tackle on Adam Reed.

Quakers fell behind in the opening minutes at Scunthorpe as well, and this time the wound was self-inflicted, Stuart Elliott miscuing a clearance into his own net.

Gary Himsworth went off with a recurrence of his back problem, but Quakers battled back into the game. Irons' keeper Tom Evans pulled off a string of fine saves, but could do nothing about Glenn Naylor's equaliser after 41 minutes.

The close range header took the slightly-built striker's tally for the season to five, making him Quakers' leading scorer.

Tomorrow, Quakers are at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.