Paul Parry eased the pressure on Cardiff boss David Jones with the only goal of the game against Ipswich.
Cardiff secure vital victory
Paul Parry eased the pressure on under-fire Cardiff boss David Jones with the only goal of the game to secure a deserved three points against Ipswich.
Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale had warned Jones that if results did not improve the club would be forced to consider a change of management.
Ipswich, who were boosted by their 6-0 demolition of Bristol City last time out, almost added to the City boss' woes after 15 seconds when striker Alan Lee struck the crossbar, but the early wake-up call seemed to boost the home side and they dominated the next 45 minutes.
Parry capped off their early pressure with a 33rd-minute strike to send the Ninian Park faithful delirious.
Woodwork
While the result is one of great relief to Jones, his opposite number Jim Magilton will be left thinking why his side seem incapable of taking their excellent home form on the road with them.
Lee took advantage of a poor Darren Purse backpass to lob the stranded Kasper Schmeichel - however the in-form striker could not believe his luck as the ball cannoned back off the woodwork.
The early warning seemed to wake up the home side and they started to put pressure on Town, who are still to register their first win away from home.
For all their possession City failed to seriously test Ipswich keeper Neil Alexander early on with the best chance coming to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who curled a 20-yard free-kick just over the bar.
But just after half an hour the impressive Parry cut inside from the right and curled a excellent left-footed shot past Neil Alexander to give the home side the lead.
Stubborn
Ipswich started the stronger in the second-half and began to frustrate the home side with some good harrying play in midfield which brought them long spells of possession and a sustained period of time in the Cardiff half.
However the Bluebirds managed to weather the early storm with the recalled duo of Chris Gunter and Glenn Loovens in particular providing some stubborn resistance.
As the half wore on neither side looked like creating any meaningful chances as both sets of defenders remained on top.
In an attempt to change his side's fortunes Magilton threw on Danny Haynes for the ineffective Pablo Counago mid-way through the second-half and the substitution seemed to boost the away side with Haynes coming close with a 20 yard drive which flew wide.
Parry then came to Cardiff's rescue seven minutes from time when he was in the right place at the right time to clear Tommy Miller's shot off the line.
