Mackay salutes talented Mason

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay praised Joe Mason's display despite being held to a 1-1 draw against a spirited Leeds side.

Mackay hails goalscorer

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay praised Joe Mason display despite being held to a 1-1 draw against a spirited Leeds side. The striker maintained his good recent goalscoring form as he netted his third goal in five games to put the Bluebirds ahead just before the break. But Luciano Becchio's second-half equaliser ensured City's hopes of making the Championship play-offs for a third successive season will go down to the wire. And Mackay hailed goalscorer Mason, just 24 hours after the player signed a long-term contract which will keep him at the Cardiff City Stadium until 2016. Mackay said: "His finish was sublime. He feels this is the place where he will progress. Joe has worked very hard with the staff and the other players to get better all the time. "We haven't been able to hold him back. He's made so much progress that we couldn't leave him out of the starting XI for most of the season. That is good testament to the lad himself. "It's about looking at talent, looking at potential and taking chances and risks on youngsters, but also doing your homework on them and making sure you believe in them. "We have three or four youngsters like that and they will all be good players for Cardiff in the future."