Ross McCormack's last-minute penalty ensured the honours were even in a captivating Welsh derby which saw Swansea's play-off hopes in the Championship dashed.

The clash - which could be the last Welsh derby at Ninian Park - was the earliest kick-off of the season but the visitors wasted no time in getting off the mark through Nathan Dyer as Dave Jones' promotion hopefuls struggled to cope with their bright attacks early on.

But Cardiff came into the game steadily and restored parity early in the second period when Michael Chopra took advantage of hesitant defending to score from close range.

Teenager Joe Allen scored his first goal for Swansea with just two minutes remaining but McCormack still had time to fire in a second leveller in dubious circumstances.

The sell-out crowd was swelled by hundreds of South Wales police but there was still an opportunity for the match to be marred by an incident which saw referee Mike Dean cut by a coin thrown from the home fans.

Cardiff may have kept their chances of playing in the Premier League alive with a point but the ramifications of Dean's injury could prove costly.

Both sides have been among the play-off contenders all season but the Swans had lost two of their last three games to fall away from the top six.

They needed a win and had an early penalty shout when Paul Parry tripped Jordi Gomez but Dean turned away the protests.

Mark Gower then rattled a powerful shot into the midriff of Cardiff goalkeeper Stuart Taylor as Martinez's side started well in the hostile atmosphere - and they took the lead in the 11th minute.

Dyer picked the ball up on the halfway line and set off for goal.

He laid the ball into the path of Jason Scotland, who coolly flicked the ball over the head of Cardiff defender Roger Johnson and back towards the run of Dyer.

The diminutive winger collected the ball, skipped round Taylor and stabbed home with his left foot for a fabulous goal.

Swansea have won many plaudits this season for their flowing, passing style and they again cut through the Cardiff defence with a lovely move which ended with Gomez flashing a volley just over from the edge of the area.

Chopra then thumped a shot against the foot of the post in Cardiff's best attack while Jay Bothroyd's follow-up was tipped around by Swansea goalkeeper Dorus De Vries.

Dean was then struck on the temple by an object thrown from the crowd as the half came to a close as he talked to Chopra following a challenge on Gomez.

After receiving treatment the referee was fit to continue and Dyer came within inches of doubling the lead at the start of the second half as the visitors again began brightly.

Gomez did well to unleash a powerful 25-yard drive which Taylor could not hang on to.

Dyer was alert and got to the loose ball first but his weak effort was cleared off the line by the recovering Darren Purse.

It was a let-off for Cardiff and they took advantage by equalising in the 54th minute.

Right-back Kevin McNaughton charged forward and laid the ball off to Parry on the edge of the area.

His deep cross evaded Chopra - who looked offside - but was controlled by Bothroyd beyond the far post. The Swansea backline paused for a flag and Bothroyd calmly squared for Chopra to slot in from four yards.

Allen was introduced with just over 20 minutes to go and hit an 88th-minute strike to give Swansea a glimpse of victory.

The youngster played a one-two with fellow substitute Gorka Pintado and lashed a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

He was booked for jumping into the jubilant away end but Dean had time to provide more drama when he awarded a soft penalty in stoppage time when Ashley Williams barged into McCormack.

The Scotland international kept his composure to bury the ball and claim a point.

Teams:

Cardiff Taylor, McNaughton, Purse, Roger Johnson, Kennedy (Eddie Johnson 89), Parry (Whittingham 66), Ledley, McPhail, McCormack, Bothroyd, Chopra (Rae 81).

Subs Not Used: Heaton, Comminges.

Goals: Chopra 54, McCormack 90 pen.

Swansea De Vries, Rangel (Serran 78), Williams, Monk, Tate, Britton, Pratley, Gower (Allen 66), Gomez, Dyer (Pintado 86), Scotland.

Subs Not Used: Bessone, Butler.

Booked: Allen.

Goals: Dyer 11, Allen 88.

Att: 20,156

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).