Paul Hayes' stoppage-time penalty effectively dealt Cardiff's play-off hopes a killer blow as the FA Cup finalists went down at relegated Scunthorpe.

Cardiff looked destined to keep their slim hopes of a top-six finish alive thanks to Joe Ledley's stunning second-half equaliser.

But Cardiff defender Glenn Loovens was adjudged to have brought down Marcus Williams in time added on and Hayes coolly converted his last-gasp spot kick.

Cardiff's FA Cup hero Ledley, whose volley at Wembley sank Barnsley in the semi-final, served up another fine goal to haul Cardiff level after Scunthorpe had struck twice in three minutes early in the second half.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had marked his return to Dave Jones' side with a trademark drive in first-half stoppage time.

Scunthorpe, condemned to an immediate return to League One with defeat at Crystal Palace last week, then turned the game on its head with goals from Paul Hayes (53) and Kevan Hurst (56), before Ledley's rocket brought the Welshmen level.

But two-goal Hayes had the last laugh.

The home side made much the better start, but Cardiff, unbeaten in their last eight league matches, finished the first period in style.

Both sides were restricted to efforts on goal from outside the respective areas before Hasselbaink, who had returned to the side after a throat infection, made the breakthrough for Dave Jones' side.

Paul Hayes, on-loan Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork and Hurst returned for Scunthorpe, while Cardiff also made three changes, with Loovens, Ledley and Hasselbaink back in the starting line-up.

Scunthorpe took the game to Cardiff, but had only long-range shots from Izzy Iriekpen, Martin Paterson and Jack Cork to show for their early dominance.

Cardiff then woke from their early slumber and were denied a 17th-minute lead by a flying save from Iron goalkeeper Joe Murphy, who tipped Aaron Ramsey's 25-yard effort round his post.

Defender Cliff Byrne blocked Ledley's goalbound effort from the resulting corner and Loovens fired wide from outside the penalty area.

Scunthorpe were now on the back foot and Murphy did well to hold Hasselbaink's header from Stephen McPhail's cross before Jonathan Forte's blistering volley was comfortably saved at the other end by Peter Enckelman.

The first half appeared set to finish goalless, but Ledley broke free down the left in the 45th minute and his ball into the penalty area was dispatched into the bottom corner in emphatic fashion by Hasselbaink.

Scunthorpe winger Ian Morris replaced Jim Goodwin at half-time and his fine cross six minutes after the restart was headed home by Hayes from six yards.

Prior to the home side's equaliser, Hasselbaink wasted a glorious chance to give his side a two-goal cushion, but with only Murphy to beat from inside the area, the Dutchman mis-hit his shot and saw it rebound off the post.

Hasselbaink's miss looked even more significant three minutes later when goalscorer Hayes turned provider.

The Iron striker crossed from the left and Hurst jinked clear inside the box before sliding a right-footed shot beyond Enckelman.

But the Welsh side were not behind for long. Ledley collected the ball inside Scunthorpe's half and unleashed a shot from 20 yards out which arrowed into Murphy's bottom right-hand corner.

Both sides went for the winner. Cardiff substitute Peter Whittingham's 20-yard shot was blocked by Marcus Williams, but the game appeared set for a draw until Loovens' lunge in the penalty area and Hayes stepped up to side-foot an injury-time winner from the spot.

Teams:

Scunthorpe Murphy, Byrne, Iriekpen, Butler, Williams,Forte (May 84), Goodwin (Morris 46), Cork, Hurst, Hayes,Paterson (Winn 74).

Subs Not Used: Lillis, Hobbs.

Booked: Iriekpen, Byrne.

Goals: Hayes 53, Hurst 56, Hayes 90 pen.

Cardiff Enckelman, McNaughton (Sinclair 83), Johnson, Loovens,Capaldi, Ramsey, McPhail, Rae, Ledley,Hasselbaink (Whittingham 72), Thompson.

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse, Scimeca.

Booked: Ramsey, Rae.

Goals: Hasselbaink 45, Ledley 59.

Att: 4,727

Ref: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).