It wasn't pretty at times, and the goal was a long time coming but the result was fully deserved against a stubborn, niggly and struggling Sheffield Wednesday side.
Cardiff created chance after chance but saw effort after effort blocked and deflected.
City's hesitancy created frustration in the crowd ( a decent effort of over 22,000 ) with Wednesday appearing there for the taking the Bluebirds played too many balls across the park or sent long without success.
But they never gave up. And when the chance arose Craig Conway took it.
Another ball into the box was controlled by Joe Mason and his lay off to Conway 22 yards out was clinically finished.
City made some poor decisions and sometimes lacked the killer instict but they are top for a reason and it's because they win games like this rather than lose them.
It was another defeat for Dave Jones who now comes under serious pressure as his side is in the bottom three after six defeats in a row.
Cardiff now head the table again and have a five point lead over 3rd place. That lead could be extended on Friday when City face Blackburn at Ewood Park in the live Sky game.