CHERRIES under-18s survived a late scare to record an impressive 1-0 win over Cardiff City and progress into round five of the FA Youth Cup.

Khavarn Williams’s first-half strike proved to be enough for the hosts at Vitality Stadium, although Cherries did have to see out the final 10 minutes with 10 men following a straight red card for Luke Pardoe.

And just as Alan Connell’s youngsters looked to have done enough, goalkeeper Cameron Plain inexplicably fired a clearance against substitute James Crole in stoppage time. Fortunately for the man who has spent this season gaining experience at Wimborne Town, he was able to scramble back and clear the ball off the line to preserve his clean sheet.

Cherries will host Millwall for a spot in the sixth round.

With Cherries boss Eddie Howe watching on from the stands, Cardiff created the best early opening with Isaak Davies finding some room through the centre, but Plain got down well to parry the effort away.

Euan Pollock saw a shot blocked at the other end before Cardiff striker Siyabonga Ligendza fluffed his lines after breaking beyond Harvey Bertrand.

The deadlock was broken on 24 minutes. The hosts burst forwards down the left through good work by James Oliver, who teed up Williams to sweep home from inside the box.

Neither goalkeeper was seriously worked for the rest of the half in the torrential rain and swirling winds.

Cardiff, who boast a category two academy in comparison to category three Cherries, started the brighter of the two sides after the restart.

Their two best chances fell for striker Ligendza. After a poor ball by Brooklyn Genesini, Cardiff got the ball into the box but Ligendza’s looping header was held by Plain. The forward found space in the box again soon after but sliced his effort over the crossbar.

Cherries were dealt a blow before the hour mark when goalscorer Williams was forced off injured. And they had to dig in further when Pardoe, who has spent the past month at Poole Town in Southern League South, was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Taylor Jones.

But the hosts did just about enough, despite the late scare when Plain’s attempted long clearance was fired straight at Crole before the goalkeeper chased back to stop the ball crossing the line.

Cherries: Plain, Genesini, Channell, Bertrand, Greenwood, Pardoe, Wadham, Gray, Oliver (Roberts), Pollock (Murray), Williams (Adams).

Unused subs: Seddon, Burgess, Moriah-Welsh, Terrell.