MALKY Mackay stayed calm, composed and spoke with quiet authority just outside the away dressing room at Reebok Stadium.
He was surely, though, absolutely furious with match officials who made errors which handed new Bolton manager Dougie Freedman victory in his opening game in charge.
Mackay had already outlined his concerns to referee Tony Bates and there was, unusually, an air of agitation about the City manager after a match the Bluebirds did not deserve to lose.
Referee Bates got things so wrong at times, both in City’s favour and against them, he was always going to be at the centre of conversation when it came to Bolton’s win.
He ruled out a Bolton effort which should have been given, awarded the home team a penalty which it wasn’t a foul and failed to spot a clear foul by Stephen Warnock on City’s Mark Hudson.
That should have been a spot-kick, but wasn’t given.
Those were the big decisions which Bluebirds players clearly felt were wrong – and they were backed up by television replays in a match shown live.
City are still top of the Championship, on goal difference from Middlesbrough, but their away results are a cause for concern. Mackay’s men suffered only four away defeats throughout 2011-12, but they have already hit that mark in seven trips this time.
They have a perfect winning record at home, but have suffered three defeats in the last four away.
The Bluebirds have conceded a total of 17 goals in 14 games – and 12 of those have come in their four defeats.
That’s a worrying trend and City are intent on starting to put it right at Charlton Athletic tomorrow. It’s crucial City show they have the ability to win on the road.
Middlesbrough are now level on points with Cardiff at the top – and they earned a comfortable win at the Valley on Saturday.
Mackay insists he sends his City players out intent on trying to win every game they go into. The suggestion his team lack ambition away is quickly dismissed.
“I don’t know who suggests a lack of ambition,” said Mackay. “We have scored quite a few goals away and last season we had the second best away record in the Championship.
“There is no point in me responding to internet gossip.
“There were some poor decisions made by the officials. Those decisions do not even themselves out over a season. That’s an old wives tale.
“I spoke to the referee politely and quietly after the game. I told him he had made huge mistakes. Everybody who has a television is able to see that.”
Two goals in five second-half minutes snatched potential victory from City’s grasp and left them a beaten team despite a spirited charge which only ended when goalkeeper David Marshall, up for a late corner, smashed a shot towards the roof of Bolton’s net.
His effort deflected off home keeper Bogdan, who knew little about it, and out of play.
“Lady luck wasn’t with us at Bolton,” said Mackay.
This defeat at the Reebok was completely different to City’s previous away-day disappointments at Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
Mackay’s men could only blame themselves each time for individual errors which proved costly.
This time City controlled things for an hour. Their passing and movement was top notch, increasingly frustrating a home team who could not break down disciplined and well-organised visitors.
Craig Noone’s first-half goal was a bonus. Neither team had looked like scoring, but when Bolton’s Zat Knight made a hash of his attempted headed clearance from Peter Whittingham’s ball in, Noone turned to fire home low.
His shot squeezed inside a post past keeper Adam Bogdan and at that stage City looked capable of going on to win.
The introduction of substitute David Ngog for Kevin Davies changed the game. Former England international Davies had scarcely caused City’s defence any problems, but Ngog’s movement and extra pace immediately added a new edge.
Ngog soon fired home only to have his effort disallowed for offside. The flag went up immediately, but Ngog looked onside and Mackay confirmed that goal should have been given.
The French striker won a penalty when he tumbled over Kim Bo-kyung’s challenge. Television replays, though, showed Ngog was already falling when Kim moved in.
Martin Petrov scored from the penalty after 69 minutes and then a clever flick by Ngog five minutes later gave Bolton the lead.
Ngog continued his dramatic intervention with two bookings for fouls which earned him a red card during five minutes injury time – and set up the late City charge which almost succeeded.
Captain Hudson and his City team-mates were furious when nothing was given for Warnock’s challenge inside the penalty area, while Marshall’s last-gasp shot almost rescued the situation.
But it was the failure to award City a late penalty which would have earned them a point which infuriated the visitors. Had that been given Cardiff would almost certainly have left the Reebok Stadium with a point and there would have been few complaints.
No wonder Freedman was smiling broadly after the match. His Crystal Palace team stormed back from two goals down to beat City earlier this season – and now his new team, Bolton, have snatched victory after looking second best for so long.
Now, though, City have to prove they are no soft touch when it comes to away matches. The next test is at Hudson’s former club Charlton tomorrow evening – and we’ll know a lot more about Cardiff’s promotion potential by the final whistle at the Valley.
It’s crucial City halt the away trend which is damaging their promotion credentials.
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