Not since 1991 have two English managers contested the FA Cup Final and Dave Jones joked that he would “knock out” Harry Redknapp when they meet next month. Cardiff City defeated Barnsley 1-0 at Wembley yesterday to book their place against Portsmouth, and have a chance to become the first team from outside the top flight to lift trophy since West Ham United in 1980.

Joe Ledley’s hooked shot early on eased Cardiff into the final for the first time since 1927, the only occasion the trophy has been won by a club from outside England. Jones allowed the players to enjoy a beer on the coach last night. “I might not get 1927 rammed down my throat again after this,” he said. “It’s a great feeling. We fought really hard.”

Cardiff averted the threat of administration last month, but they remain in negotiations with Langston, which claims that it is owed £24 million in a loan. Cardiff have earned about £1.4 million in prize-money, excluding television income, since defeating Chasetown in the third round in January. “For what we have been through, this is a fantastic achievement,” Jones said. “Some managers say when they are knocked out that they can concentrate on other things, but they would swap with me.”

Barnsley were unable to reproduce their heroics against Liverpool and Chelsea in the previous two rounds. “It is difficult to swallow,” Simon Davey, the Barnsley manager, said. “We fell short, but they were soldiers out there today. The gap between the Championship and the Premier League is closing and we have put the romance back in the Cup.”

Barnsley will turn their attention to avoiding relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship, after sliding into the relegation zone on Saturday. After three consecutive league defeats, they play Watford on Wednesday. “We have six massive matches,” Davey said. “Maybe subconsciously the Cup has been a distraction. But we can’t blame that on our league position.”

Kayode Odejayi had their best opportunity, but he put the ball wide when clean through midway through the second half. “I felt really confident,” Odejayi said. “It was not down to me. It was down to everyone. It was a good chance, I should have scored. I apologised to the players, but they said to me not to blame yourself.”

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football