Joel Colwill's goal on his maiden Championship start stopped the rot for Cardiff City as a 1-1 draw ended Stoke City's winning streak.

The Potters looked on course for a third successive victory when Ben Johnson took advantage of some shaky Bluebirds defending in a first-half that would have concerned home fans.

But, staring at the prospect of a third straight defeat for the first time under Brian Barry-Murphy, Cardiff found the resolve to take away Stoke's momentum – and were rewarded when Colwill headed home just after the hour mark.

The 21-year-old might have won it too, had it not been for the Potters' post saving them from a second header from the midfielder soon after.

Still, it will have frustrated Mark Robins, whose side had looked well placed for a first away win since January, though they did gain their first away point of the season.

They had chances to do just that via George Hirst and Robert Bozenik with Cardiff looking short of confidence at the back.

In attack, the hosts looked promising and could threaten until reaching the edge of the area.

But Ollie Tanner wasted early openings, hitting the post on eight minutes and then failing to steer an Alex Robertson cross on 22 minutes.

It was punished soon after as a hopeful hook from Robert Bozenik saw Johnson bully his way past Joel Bagan to force home his first since joining on loan from Ipswich Town last month.

With home nerves jangling, George Hurst could have taken the game away from Cardiff when he went through on goal six minutes after the restart, Nathan Trott making a crucial save.

Cardiff responded and grew into the game, to the extent that when Chris Willock provided the right cross for the unmarked Colwill, it was a deserved equaliser.

Colwill was free again to meet a second Willock cross only for the upright to deny him and they had further chances to secure a first home win of the season with a late Yousef Salech miss and Jack Moylan's deflected shot hitting the post.

Cardiff could well use this display of resilience as a turning point, even if they still wait for that first victory since promotion back to the Championship.

Their defeats at QPR and Portsmouth – on the back of a disappointing end to the transfer window when reinforcements were not forthcoming - had suggested some concerns about a young side still finding their feet back at this level.

It was reflected in the early atmosphere, home fans displaying some anxiety and Barry-Murphy's side looking jittery – which Johnson took full advantage of.

They still tried to play, as they always have under the former Manchester City academy coach, but it again lacked end product.

But despite the youthful nature of this side (which included a trio of teenagers on the bench, with Noah Anyadike just 15) the fightback would have pleased veteran supporters, and perhaps even Wales boss Craig Bellamy who watched on as twice-capped Joel Colwill pounced.

They may well have rued not grabbing a second in a one-way finale and with the woodwork coming to Stoke's rescue, but those late minutes will have provided hope.

Cardiff fans need not look much further than Stoke, who have turned around worrying form.

The two losses from the opening two games came on the back of a concerning collapse at the end of last season, but the Potters arrived here with back-to-back wins.

They started with signs of that momentum and should have had enough to earn a first away win since January, looking solid and comfortable to start with.

But they were guilty of allowing Cardiff to have too much of the ball to dictate things and finish stronger.

Mark Robins will have mixed feelings as a result, and will try again for that elusive win on the road at Watford this weekend while Cardiff will aim to build at Bolton.

Cardiff City Head Coach Brian Barry-Murphy:

"It's disappointing not to get the victory. The goal we conceded was disappointing and felt pretty easy from our point of view so we can improve that, but the players kept going.

"We had a good idea on how Stoke played, but we obviously didn't plan on giving away a goal of the nature we did, so we have to tidy up on that kind of thing because obviously we're having to come back in all the games at the moment and that's a challenge in itself.

"The way the players responded was incredible really and in the second half it felt as if it was only a matter of time. I was pretty sure we would get the winner, but we just couldn't find a finish against their goalkeeper

Stoke City manager Mark Robins:

"We have to be happy. It was a hard watch, but seven points and we have our first away point.

"We did enough to get our noses in front, but we allowed them too much of the ball - that's the way they play and it can cause you problems if you don't work it out.

"It's easier said than done, but we gave them too many opportunities and that's the disappointing thing.

"They've hit the post three times, but we had a couple of really good moments to go two up. We'll take the point and move on."