But the game ends in controversy as Darren Purse is sent off for a horrendous foul on Andrew Cole, that prompts the furious Burnley striker to disappear down the tunnel in pursuit of the Cardiff defender.

An action-packed afternoon saw Burnley race into a two goal-lead only for Cardiff to pull level, and do so again after Burnley looked to have won it five minutes from time.

Graham Alexander's first goal for the club is all that separated the sides at the break, as he collected Cole's flick before volleyingpast Peter Enckleman.

Cole doubled the lead with a close range tap-in from Ade Akinbiyi's cross, but a penalty from Joe Ledley and a rasping drive from Aaron Ramsey brought Cardiff level.

Clarke Carlisle looked to have won it for the Clarets when he headed in from a corner following Akex MacDonald's all back across goal, but Cardiff had the last laugh when Steve Thompson tapped home Peter Whittingham's cross.

Click here to view our photo gallery from the game

Click here to view your pictures from the game

CLOCKWATCH

6 mins: Ade Akinbiyi's neat flick feeds James O'Connor, who returns the ball to Akinbiyi for a run on goal, only for the striker to have his shot turned around the post by Peter Enckleman.

21 mins: It takes until the midway point in the first half for Cardiff to fashion their first clear cut oppoerunity of the afternoon, with Aaron Ramsay's free kick headed back across goal for Stephen McPhail to shoot wide of the target.

29 mins: Robbie Blake drills a free kick towards goal, but the Cardiff defence manage to clear the danger and the chance is gone.

36 mins: GOAL!! Wade Elliott's run down the right ends with a neat ball back to Graham Alexander, and when he feeds the ball to Andrew Cole's feet, Alexander carrys on his run, receives the ball back from Cole and volleys a shot under Peter Enckleman. The referee's assistant originally flags for offide, but is rightly overruled by the referee who awards the goal. Burnley 1-0 Cardiff.

40 mins: Robbie Blake makes space for a shot on the edge of the box, but ends up firing over the Peter Enckleman's crossbar.

Half-Time: Burnley 1-0 Cardiff.

52 mins: Aaron Ramsay is set free down the left hand edge of the Burnley penalty area, and his drilled cross needs a strong hand from Brian Jensen to turn it away from danger.

54 mins: GOAL!! Robbie Blake's neat little ball for Ade Akinbiyi sees the striker beat the offside trap, and his ball across goal gives Andrew Cole the simplest of tap-ins to double Burnley's lead. Burnley 2-0 Cardiff

56 mins: GOAL!! Trevor Sinclair is felled by Stephen Jordan in the area, and Joe Ledley sends Brian Jensen the wrong way from the penalty spot. Burnley 2-1 Cardiff.

66 mins: Clarke Carlisle is forced to clear the ball from his own goal-line after Brian Jensen makes a smart close range save to deny Steven Thompson a Cardiff equaliser.

68 mins: James O'Connor's header from midfield releases Andrew Cole, who beats Darren Purse for pace but sees his low shot saved by Peter Enckleman.

69 mins: GOAL!! Aaron Ramsay lashes home Cardiff's equaliser after Graham Alexander gives the ball away to Joe Ledley in defence. Burnley 2-2 Cardiff.

70 mins: Ade Akinbiyi can't generate enough power on his close range header after pinball in the area ends with Robbie Blake floating a cross in for the big striker.

78 mins: How Burnley aren't back in front is anyone's guess, as first Wade Elliott sees his low shot saved, then Peter Enckleman is called upon again to deny Andrew Cole from the rebound, and finally Ade Akinbiyi shins the third attempt wide of the target.

85 mins: GOAL!! Robbie Blake's corner is headed back across goal by teenage substitute Alex MacDonald, and Clarke Carlisle steams in to head Burnley back in front. Burnley 3-2 Cardiff.

89 mins: GOAL!! Cardiff hit back immediately through Steve Thompson, who toe pokes the ball home from close range following Peter Whittingham's cross. Burnley 3-3 Cardiff.

90 mins +1: Cardiff are reduced to 10 men in injury time as Darren Purse receives a straight red card for a horrendous challenge on Andrew Cole, which sees the Burnley striker disappear down the tunnel in pursuit of Purse, followed by a whole host of staff from both sides.

Full-Time: Burnley 3-3 Cardiff.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Jordan, Elliott (MacDonald 79), J. O'Connor, McCann (Gudjonsson 76), Blake (Mahon 87), Akinbiyi, Cole.
Subs: Kiraly (GK), Duff.

Cardiff: Enckelman, Scimeca, Loovens, Purse, Capaldi, Sinclair, Ramsay, McPhail (Ledley 45), Blake, Thompson, Hasselbaink (Whittingham 67).
Subs: McNaughton, Rae, Johnson.

Attendance: 10,694

Referee: Andy Hall (West Midlands).