Conor Shaughnessy claimed his first goal of the season when Portsmouth increased their Sky Bet Championship Survival-Hoop by jumping in the table by fellow wrestler Cardiff thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Colby Bishop stuck Pompey in an early lead in Fratton Park before defender Shaughnessy went home to double the advantage with just 17 minutes on the clock.
Callum O'Dowda quickly halved the shortage, but the Bluebirds were unable to find a level while they took defeats on the back of a 7-0 that hit leaders Leeds.
The victory for the men of John Mousinho ended a winless run of four games to take them to 18th place – two points above the visitors and four free from the relegation zone.
Cardiff's recent unbeaten run of seven games was explicitly ended in Elland Road in their last league outing before they walked past Stoke on Penalties to reach the FA Cup fifth round.
Bluebirds boss Omer Riza, who watched the game from the stands as he completed a touchlinebod of three games, would again be the worst, because the lively hosts from the blocks race.
Pompey-striker Bishop claimed the ninth minute opener and took a touch in the box before he clinically put his fifth goal of the season in the corner of the season after a pass by Josh Murphy.
Winger Murphy then forced a nice diving saving from city goalkeeper Jak Alnwick with a curly effort before he hit the resulting corner for towering center-back Shaughnessy to nod home and open his account for the campaign.
Supported by a vocal home crowd, Portsmouth, who produced a positive display during the 2-1 loss of Saturday at promotional Sheffield United, had complete control.
Nevertheless, Cardiff took advantage of their first remarkable attack of the game to dampen the mood only five minutes later when O'Dowda found room at the rear post to take Andy Rinomhota's cross to the right corner.
Bluebird's left back Joel Bagan prevented the resting of the two-purpose advantage of the hosts after an error from Alnwick and was subsequently refused twice by Pompey goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid on the other side.
After an end-to-end opening period, the second half was a much tighter affair.
Bishop was denied by Alnwick shortly after the restart, while Murphy later shot a free kick while the hosts tried to seal the victory.
Callum Robinson hit a volley directly on Schmid for three minutes, when Cardiff threatened to take a point before a final grasp Defended Portsmouth a third, a little later.
After Bishop's first effort was deflected to the bar by a Bluebirds defender, the follow-up attempt was blocked on the line.
Home -supporters were forced to withstand a nervy final – including five minutes of added time – but Pompey was on for an important three points.
The managers
John Mousinho from Portsmouth:
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Cardiff's Omer Riza:
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