McPhail's petulance put City on the back foot and Swansea levelled to make it 2 - 2. It was then a case of defending for the remainder of the game with Peter Enckleman producing a couple of stunning saves.
Swansea were reduced to 10 men on 90 mins when Leon Britton was given a 2nd yellow for a challenge that could have seen a straight red.
The game started with Swansea attacking with pace and stretching Cardiff. The opening goal came when Jason Scotland found space wide right, a slip by Mark Kennedy allowed Scotland in but he was clearly offside. The linesman kept his flag down despite being exactly in line with the offside player.
Scotland moved into the box and squared for Darren Pratley to score. Pratley ran down the touchline doing the "swim away" gesture. The lead was deserved, the goal should never have been allowed.
The officials booked McPhail and Roger Johnson for innocuos tackles and then allowed Bessone to virtually rugby tackle a City player without being punished.
The officials were poor first half but that was forgotten when Joe Ledley's half volley rocketted into the Swansea net on 45mins. A poor Routledge corner was cleared to Ledley who hit a first time shot into the Swansea goal.
Just 2 mins into the second half and it was advantage Cardiff. Michael Chopra won a penalty after a trip just inside the Swansea box. Ross McCormack stepped up to score and Cardiff were ahead.
But then McPhail, a man sent off at the Liberty in September, kicked the ball away to earn a 2nd yellow and he was off. It was madness, McPhail's petulance handed the initiative to Swansea and they levelled on the hour when sub Pintado volleyed home. It was a stunning finish but where was the defence?
Then Cardiff defended and defended. Chances at the other end were very rare and after some indecisive moments Peter Enckelman came to the fore with several excellent saves.
The indifferent refereeing continued with Ross McCormack being penalised when he was obstructed trying to break free on goal and then on 90 mins Leon Britton was given a 2nd yellow and the game ended with 10 men on either side.
Britton's first yellow came from a skirmish with Routledge who was also booked.
It was an incident packed game and a point at the end was a good point for Cardiff but McPhail wil be the villain that cost Cardiff a victory with his stupid stupid decision to kick the ball away.