Cardiff City 1 Bristol City 0: Bristol City boss Gary Johnson admitted his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by "Premier League quality", writes Andy Stockhausen.

Beaten 1-0 in a blood-and-thunder third-round replay at Cardiff City's new stadium last night, City had reason to be disappointed at the nature of their exit after being sunk by an unfortunate own goal from Bradley Orr 15 minutes from time.

But manager Johnson had no complaints, insisted the better side had won and singled out Bluebirds striker Michael Chopra as the difference between the Championship rivals.

The former Sunderland marksman conjured the incisive moment when he raced on to Peter Whittingham's defence-splitting pass and sent a shot cannoning against a post.

Seeking to follow up and clear the danger, the unlucky Orr succeeded only in deflecting the ball into his own net to gift Cardiff a home fourth-round tie against Leicester on Saturday.

"We competed well, but I think it was a fair result," said Johnson. "They showed the one or two moments of quality which led to their goal and that was difference on the night. Chopra has played at the highest level and made a good living out of the game by standing in offside positions, coming back onside and losing defenders and then catching you cold when you least expect it.

"His cleverness and ability to get through cost us a goal and could easily have cost us a couple of goals. Cardiff had that little bit of Premier League quality and cleverness up front and, on the day, we didn't.

"We had plenty of play without really creating a single clear-cut chance and their goalkeeper didn't really have a serious save to make. We have to learn from this and be a bit more clever and show a bit more quality in the final third of the pitch."

Orr apologised to his team-mates after the game, but Johnson absolved him of all blame.

He said: "Brad said sorry, but it was not his fault – there was nothing he could do about it.

"The ball has hit the post, bounced out and he's coming into cover it and cannot possibly get out of the way.

"He's disappointed and it was an unfortunate way to concede a goal, but I was disappointed we allowed Chopra to get into our penalty box in the first place."

City now have a welcome week off before renewing their rivalry with Cardiff in a Championship fixture at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.

But Johnson argued: "It doesn't feel like a Godsend at this moment in time.

"We're out of the FA Cup and we're all very disappointed."

Meanwhile, new signing Jamal Campbell-Rice will take part in a practice game involving City's Academy youngsters at the club's Failand Training headquarters today.

Johnson confided: "When he's finished with his medical, he'll have a run out with the young lads, so we can see just how fit he is.

"We have another game against Cardiff next Tuesday and we would like Jamal to be involved."