Cardiff City have David Marshall to thank for going into half time all square against rivals Bristol City in a goalless opening 45 minutes to the Severnside derby.

The first chance of the contest fell the way of the visiting side, as Marlon Pack played a half-cleared corner back into the box for Aaron Wilbraham to force Marshall into action for the first time.

It was the Robins who created the next opening of note, too, when Norwich City loanee Elliott Bennett's pass into a promising position just about evaded Jonathan Kodjia.

Matthew Connolly was on the end of Cardiff's best chance of the first half after rising highest inside the box, only to glance his header wide of the target.

Keeping hold of possession was proving to be a tough ask for both sides as the opening 45 minutes wore on, with clear-cut chances few and far between in South Wales.

Bristol City did have a glorious opportunity to open the scoring right on the brink of half time, but Marshall somehow got a hand to Kodjia's close-range header to ensure that it remained goalless at the break.