Chris Burke scored today direct from a free kick wide on the left, the ball dropped into the six yard box and neither defenders or keeper made an effort to stop it and it bounced into the net.
Middlesbrough will feel they did more than enough to get something from the game but a City defence that put itself on the line today were major factors in the victory.
David Marshall saved superbly from a free kick in the first half and time after time the centre backs blocked attempts at goal. After City had scored Middlesbrough hit the bar. The scramble that ensued saw Adam Matthews, on as a sub for McNaughton, head off the line as City kept the home side out.
Boro's rally withered out after an effort from Leroy Lita went wide and City excellently wound down the clock and nearly sneaked another, Chris Burke's cross not reaching it's target.
The Bluebird's lost Whttingham and Etuhu to injury as well as McNaughton so we wait to head how bad they are. Joe Ledley and Jay Bothroyd both started the game.
Cardiff are upto 3rd, 10 points behind leaders Newcastle but just 2 behind W.B.A. Albion play on Monday evening at home to Q.P.R.
Good things come in threes, three wins, three clean sheets and three goals for Chris Burke. All in the space of 9 days.
City follow this up with home games now against Leicester and Plymouth before ending 2009 away at Peterborough.
A happy journey home for the few hundred brave souls that left the Capital between 4am and 5am this morning heading to Teesside. They'll be singing all the way home.
