A late Tomas Albornoz penalty condemned Cardiff to a 20-19 defeat in Treviso to put a dent in the Welsh club's hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs. Matt Sherratt's side led with just three minutes remaining before they were penalised at the scrum which allowed Argentina international Albornoz to break their hearts. Benetton scored two tries courtesy of Albornoz and a penalty try, while the Argentinian playmaker added an extra eight points from the kicking tee. Cardiff scored three tries of their own with James Botham, Ellis Bevan and Ellis Lloyd touching down, while Callum Sheedy kicked four points. The Welsh club started strongly and claimed their first try after just five minutes. Wales hooker Lloyd sparked the visitors into life with a break into the Benetton 22 which laid the platform for Botham to power over from short range with Sheedy adding the extras. Albornoz put the home side on the board from the kicking tee, but Cardiff were soon celebrating their second try when a lovely break and dummy from Rory Jennings sliced open the Benetton defence before the centre put Bevan over, with Sheedy converting. But Benetton hit straight back with their driving lineout pushing Cardiff backwards at a rate of knots which allowed Albornoz to race clear for a try which he converted. Wales international Cameron Winnett was a standout player for Cardiff as he showcased his class with a tremendous 50/22. Soon after he tore open the Benetton defence with a cracking break from his own half into the home side's 22. Winnett offloaded to his openside Dan Thomas who failed to spot an unmarked player outside of him and instead opted to chip the ball forward which was comfortably gathered by Rhyno Smith. The 32-year-old called a mark and took it quickly but was smashed backwards by Ben Donnell who was subsequently sent to the sin bin after making contact with Smith's head. Benetton lay siege to the Cardiff line in the closing stages of the second half and came close when No 8 Toa Halafihi got held up over the try line. But the Italian club kept on coming and took a 17-14 lead into half-time after they were awarded a penalty try after Cardiff illegally sacked a driving lineout which also resulted in Jennings getting sent to the sin bin. Cardiff were scrapping for everything and after a smart kick into the Benetton 22 Jacob Umaga got caught in no man's land and had no choice but to concede a penalty. The Welsh club went to the corner and after a strong drive Wales hooker Lloyd broke free to smash his way over the line for a try but Sheedy missed the conversion. Benetton hit straight back when a flat pass from Ignacio Brex sent Manuel Zuliani charging through a gap into the Cardiff 22 but after a period of pressure the hosts spilt the ball forward. But the hosts flexed their muscles at scrum time to eke out a penalty which Albornoz smashed over with just three minutes remaining. Things went from bad to worse for Cardiff when Winnett got sent to the sin bin for an intentional knock on and that was that for the Welsh club who had to make do with a losing bonus point.