Stanley's Capital One Cup adventure came to an end on Wednesday night as Cardiff proved just too good for the Reds.

Despite being hit by injury in the last week, James Beattie's side gave a good account of themselves against the Premier League new boys.

But two goals in two minutes just after the hour mark saw Cardiff, 81 league places above Stanley, book their place in the third round.

Marcus Bettinelli made his Stanley debut after signing on loan from Fulham while Luke Clark and Will Hatfield also came in for the Reds, with Clark starting at right-back as Peter Murphy was moved back into
midfield.

Cardiff beat the 2012 champions Manchester City in their first Premier League home game on Sunday but manager Malky Mackay named an entirely different starting line-up.

The Bluebirds still fielded several members of last season's Championship-winning side, though, as well as new £7.5million striker Andreas Cornelius.

The visitors predictably dominated possession during the first competitive match between the two clubs, although Cardiff came to Accrington for a pre-season friendly in 2005.

But overhit crosses by Craig Noone and Tommy Smith were the best Cardiff could muster early on and it was actually Accy who had the first shot on target in the 20th minute.

Kal Naismith claimed he was fouled on the edge of the Cardiff box before Hatfield managed to get a shot away, which Joe Lewis gathered at the second attempt.

Noone was Cardiff's most dangerous player and after cutting in from the left his shot was deflected wide off Michael Richardson.

Noone found Mark Hudson with the corner but the centre-half's header was cleared off the line by Luke Joyce.

Tom Aldred and Rob Atkinson made a couple of important blocks before Cornelius went off injured after a sliding tackle by Aldred, while Stanley won a couple of corners to no avail.

The Reds made a positive start to the second half as Richardson's shot was deflected wide but Cardiff's Nicky Maynard then latched onto a ball down the left channel to round Bettinelli and cross for Smith, whose goalbound effort was blocked by Atkinson.

Jordon Mutch then headed wide from a Noone corner and Maynard broke the deadlock after a moment of class in the 61st minute.

Mutch lofted the ball towards the striker and, with his back to goal, Maynard flicked the ball over his marker before turning to fire low past Bettinelli.

And the Stanley keeper was left exposed again moments later as Mutch found space down the right to hit a low cross for substitute Rudy Gestede to turn in at the far post.

Noone's long-range strike then fizzed just wide before Beattie handed 16-year-old Connor Mahoney his debut off the bench.

After a Stanley free-kick was cleared, Clark smashed a half-volley just over the bar from 30 yards while sub Shay McCartan fired into the side-netting as the Reds finished strongly to boost morale ahead of

Saturday's visit of fifth-placed Burton, who are yet to lose in League Two.