Ten-man Swansea City Under-21s fell to defeat in the Professional Development League as they lost out to a clinical Cardiff City at Leckwith.
The Bluebirds got off to a quick start with James Crole firing them into an early lead, but the Swans created the lion’s share of chances - with keeper Jake Dennis in excellent form for the hosts - before Cameron Antwi’s excellent free-kick put the home side two goals ahead before the break.
The second half saw the Swans continue to create the majority of the goalscoring opportunities, with Harry Jones having an effort cleared off the line, Kyrell Wilson forcing an excellent save and Filip Lissah heading agonisingly wide from close range.
However, the Swans chances of a fightback were dented when Richard Faakye was sent off after receiving a second yellow card with 10 minutes remaining.
And the home side took advantage of the extra man with Joel Colwill hitting a late strike beyond Remy Mitchell.
The home side started the brighter of the teams, with Raheem Conte already firing an effort into the side-netting ahead of Crole’s opener on 10 minutes.
The Bluebirds strikers were finding plenty of space in behind, and Crole exploited it with a well-timed run before rifling a strike into top corner.
The Swans soon grew into the contest after going behind, and exerted much more control on the play with plenty of possession as they looked to work chances.
Wilson brought a fine stop from keeper Dennis after he curled an effort at goal from inside the box, while Kristian Fletcher drew another fine save from the Bluebirds stopper from a free-kick.
But, despite the improved play from the Swans, it was Cardiff who would get the next goal.
Lissah conceded a foul 25 yards from goal, which left Antwi to step up and take the free-kick. His fierce right-footed strike clattered the underside of the crossbar and flew in, leaving Swans keeper Mitchell no chance.
The visitors created two more chances before the break. Cameron Congreve had a left-footed effort blocked after neat play between Liam Smith and Wilson teed him up.
Fletcher’s back post header from Joe Thomas' dipping cross was then deflected wide by a defender to cap off a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Swansea.
The second half continued as the first had finished as the Swans tested keeper Dennis twice more within 10 minutes of the restart.
Joe Thomas had an effort saved after his run behind the Cardiff defence was picked out by Smith, while a well-worked move by the visiting team set up Wilson for a strike at the edge of the box which was palmed away.
Lincoln McFayden’s cross from the left flashed across the face of goal and evaded everyone, while Congreve fired over from a free kick.
Swansea kept pushing and, on the hour mark, a corner kick led to a goalmouth scramble which saw Wilson’s instinctive effort saved by the shins of the keeper before Cody Twose somehow headed Harry Jones’ curling effort off the line and Lissah headed agonisingly wide.
The Swans continued to pen the Bluebirds deep in their half, with Fletcher blasting over from the edge of the box, Congreve flashing wide and Zane Myers having his drilled effort cleared by Malachi Fagan Walcott.
However, with 10 minutes remaining, Richard Faakye picked up a second yellow card as he pulled an attacker to the ground on the halfway line leaving the Swans to play out the final stages a player down.
And Colwill compounded Swansea frustrations by netting an excellent third for the hosts in the final moments.
Swansea City U21s: Remy Mitchell, Harry Jones, Lincoln Mcfayden (Zane Myers 62’), Mitchell Bates, Filip Lissah (captain), Richard Faakye, Cameron Congreve, Joe Thomas, Kristian Fletcher, Liam Smith, Kyrell Wilson.
Unused substitutes: Archie Matthews, Ruben Davies, Charlie Veevers, Maliq Cadogan.
Cardiff City U21s: Jake Dennis, Vontae Campbell, Luey Giles, Ryan Kavanagh, Xavier Benjamin, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Cody Twose, Cameron Antwi, James Crole, Joel Colwill, Raheem Conte (Morgan Wieley 62’).
Unused substitutes: Will Spiers, Joe Thomas, Finn Johnson, Kyle Kenniford.