Leo Fortune-West scored the only goal midway through the first half as Cardiff recorded their third win in four matches, with a 1-0 triumph at Swindon.
There was an element of luck about Fortune-West's goal in the 27th minute and there were some anxious moments for the 2,000 travelling Cardiff fans.
Cardiff's real matchwinner was midfielder Andy Legg who caused chaos in the Swindon box every time he took one of many long throws from the touchline.
It was from one of these in the 27th minute that Swindon took the lead which they never surrendered.
Swindon failed to clear the danger properly and Fortune-West scored from ten yards with the aid of his left knee.
Another long throw from Legg resulted in Gareth Whalley shooting over from close range and there were more problems again for Swindon in the 11th minute with yet another Legg long throw.
This time former Swindon striker Peter Thorne hit the post with a header and from the rebound Whalley saw his fierce shot brilliantly palmed to safety by Dutch goalkeeper Bart Griemink.
Swindon struggled to create chances and the nearest they came to scoring in the first half was a free kick in the 18th minute by their hard-working captain Andy Gurney which went just wide.
After the break Swindon should have equalised in the 69th minute when Jimmy Davis, on-loan from Manchester United, got free down the right.
His low centre found Eric Sabin free and only two yards out, but the big French striker failed to make contact when a goal looked certain.
Cardiff's delighted manager Lennie Lawrence said: "It was important we won today after losing at home to Northampton last week.
"The players have done half the job and we need to complete it fully on Monday when we play Luton at home."