Barnsley boss Simon Davey has backed Cardiff to do the Championship proud in the FA Cup final - after the Bluebirds had succeeded where Liverpool and Chelsea failed this season.

The Tykes eliminated the Premier League's Reds and Blues on the way to Sunday's Cup semi-final at Wembley, where Joe Ledley's early volley was enough to give Cardiff a 1-0 victory and therefore book a return visit to take on Portsmouth next month.

Davey has no doubt Dave Jones and his side will prove worthy opponents for Premier League Pompey too.

The Welshman predicted: "Cardiff will acquit themselves in the final.

"I was happy to see three Championship teams in the semi-finals, and we've put the romance back in to the cup this year."

Davey sensed the neutrals were rooting for the Tykes at Wembley, because of the heroics required to get them that far in the first place.

"Most people wanted us to win the game, because we've beaten two of the best clubs in Europe," he said.

"The players can be proud of what they've achieved. They're hurting - but they are young and ambitious."

Davey absolved Nigerian striker Kayode Odejayi for a glaring miss in the second half - but admitted the Cup run has been a distraction from Barnsley's Championship campaign, in which they are in danger of relegation.

He insists his side must now refocus on beating the drop for the next six matches, starting against Watford on Wednesday night.

Currently the South Yorkshiremen lie third from bottom, and a point from safety.

"It has been a distraction," said Davey.

"We have had 16 human beings wanting to play in a cup final.

"But we've not had players who have pulled out of any tackles. Now we've got six cup finals starting on Wednesday night."

Barnsley defender Rob Kozluk acknowledges it is dicey in the league at the moment - but he has little doubt they are up to the challenge.

"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," he explained.

"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.

"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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