Barnsley defender Rob Kozluk assured team-mate Kayode Odejayi he need not apologise for the glaring miss which cost his side an equaliser in their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Cardiff.

The Tykes were chasing the game after falling behind to Cardiff winger Joe Ledley's ninth-minute volley when big target man Odejayi found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Peter Enckelman in the 66th minute.

But with all the time he needed to pick his spot to level the match the 26-year-old Nigerian - match-winning hero against Chelsea in the quarter-final - steered a right-footed shot wide of the near post.

The Bluebirds held on to their slender advantage to reach their first FA Cup final in 81 years.

Kozluk agreed it was the game's turning point, but said: "Chances fall to strikers and they're there to miss them as well as score them.

"He (Odejayi) apologised to the boys and I said there's no need because without his goal against Chelsea we wouldn't be here.

"He's no villain in any of those players' eyes, so hopefully he can take confidence into the remaining league matches."

Barnsley, who won the hearts of the nation after beating Liverpool at Anfield with a last-minute goal before sending Chelsea toppling at Oakwell in the next round, now face a daunting relegation fight.

Simon Davey's side dropped into the bottom three in the Coca-Cola Championship over the weekend after Sheffield Wednesday's draw with Scunthorpe and must now lift themselves for their remaining six matches in a bid to save their season.

Barnsley created other openings against a team nine places and as many points better off in the table but the final ball more often than not went astray, while Cardiff looked menacing whenever they ventured forward.

Kozluk said: "Odejayi's absolutely devastated, as you would be if you missed a chance, but Barnsley fans know the reason why we're here is because of his header against Chelsea.

"I can't see anyone blaming him. We've beaten Chelsea and Liverpool and our cup run has been special - we just didn't take our chances.

"It's been a wonderful journey. We're all devastated but not as devastated as we'll be if we're in League One next season.

"The gaffer said 'Well done, keep your heads up because we've come away with the wrong result'.

"Some people say how can we be in the semi-final of the FA Cup and be in the relegation zone, but there's been no pressure on us in the cup.

"We're just proud of what we've done in the FA Cup, it's been a great run and now we've got six games every bit as big as.

"The lads have taken defeat quite well. If the lads put the effort in that they've shown in the past, we're quite capable of staying up."

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