A last minute goal by Richard Langley, scorer of a hat-trick last week at Blackpool, sealed victory for Queens Park Rangers to take them to just three points behind Cardiff in the Division Two table.
"It was a very inept display by our defence and there is no excuse as we never got to grips with their front two", said Bluebirds boss Lennie Lawrence. "It was a very disappointing performance by our back four and a poor winner to concede." Rangers had the ball in the net in the 22nd minute but Kevin Gallen's effort was ruled out for an infringement.
Both sides had chances in a frantic opening half and the biggest surprise was that it remained scoreless at the interval.
Rangers took the lead when Paul Furlong was left unmarked at the far post to head home a Gino Padula free-kick and it was not until Lawrence brought on veteran Andy Legg that Cardiff seemed to create some attacking opportunities.
One minute after taking the field he swung over a corner kick and Peter Thorne planted a firm header into the back of the visitors' net for the equaliser.
"At that time we were on top and perhaps were unlucky not to go into the lead." said Lawrence. "But once again on a big occasion we have failed to deliver.
"We forced them back when we equalised but didn't pass the ball well enough and could not sustain the pressure.
"QPR imposed themselves on us. We were out-muscled and failed to get to grips with their front runners." Rangers boss Ian Holloway was delighted with his side's success.
"It has been a good week for the club and although it will be a tall order to get that second automatic place, this win could certainly help us make the play offs.
"There is a long way to go but with 11 wins from our last 17 games we are definitely the form team in the Division." Cardiff are now heading for the lottery of the play-offs and after last season's heartbreak, few would bet on the Bluebirds reaching Division One by that route.