The Welsh club led through Jordon Mutch's strike before a controversial Samuel Eto'o goal kicked off a storming comeback from the home side, who went on to win 4-1 after the Cameroonian striker had toe-poked the ball away from David Marshall as the goalkeeper bounced the ball.

Mackay bemoaned the referee's failure to award a free-kick to the visitors but took positives from his side's display, despite suffering their fourth defeat of the Premier League season.

"We could have won that," the Scot said. "And on another day things could have been totally different.

"I'm very encouraged by the start my group have made and the way they've settled into the Premier League, their competitive nature and the way they've gone at teams.

"So overall that group can keep their heads held high."

The loss was Cardiff's second in a row and they are now just one point above the relegation zone.