Yakou Meite's goal for Cardiff was only his second of the season
Championship strugglers Cardiff City eased the pressure on manager Omer Riza with a much-needed win at play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers.
Yousef Salech headed Cardiff into an early lead which lasted only 10 minutes as Yuki Ohashi nodded in for the home side.
Yakou Meite restored the Bluebirds' lead in the second half with his first touch of the match, scoring the game's third header following a cross by fellow substitute Will Alves.
Cardiff hearts were in their mouths in injury time when referee Adam Herczeg awarded Blackburn a penalty, but he then reversed his decision after consulting with one of his assistants.
Having lost their previous three games, Cardiff remain 21st in the table and just one point clear of the relegation zone, but this victory - only their second on the road this season - could be priceless for their hopes of staying up.
Blackburn drop down to 10th and are five points adrift of the play-off places, with just one point from their four matches under head coach Valerien Ismael.
This was an important fixture at both ends of the Championship as Blackburn looked to revive their faltering bid for a top-six finish while Cardiff searched for just a fifth win in 25 league matches.
Their most recent defeat at home to relegation rivals Luton Town on Tuesday had prompted boos from the Bluebirds' fans at the final whistle and heaped pressure on Riza.
His team responded well at Ewood Park, taking the lead after five minutes as Sivert Mannsverk crossed for fellow January signing Salech to head in.
However, Blackburn equalised 10 minutes later as Emmanuel Dennis' delivery from the left was converted by Ohashi, despite a touch from Ethan Horvath.
The Cardiff goalkeeper made a fine save to deny Sondre Tronstad's powerful shot shortly before half-time but, after the break, there was more action at the other end with Callum Robinson and Alves both going close for the visitors.
Alves then supplied the cross for what proved to be the winning goal by Meite, before creating another golden chance for his fellow substitute, whose shot was blocked on the line.
That looked like it would prove a costly miss when referee Herczeg awarded Blackburn a stoppage-time penalty for what he deemed to be a handball by Callum O'Dowda.
But Herczeg changed his mind after consulting with his assistant – who seemed to suggest Rovers' Makhtar Gueye had handled the ball – and Cardiff were able to hold on for a hugely important win.
Post-match reaction
Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael:
"This one is the most disappointing [of Ismael's four results]. We played well with belief and conviction. It was a step forward, especially in the first half.
"This one is tough to take. The first Cardiff goal we defended badly and the second one we just lost the ball. At the end you get punished. Details make the difference."
On the penalty decision: "The referee is five yards away and has a clear view. It's difficult to take. At the moment, decisions are not going our way but we have to accept it."
Cardiff manager Omer Riza:
"It was a much-needed win. Mentality and approach now is about getting the job done. To a man, the boys did that and we got the result we deserved.
"It was a great start and it was disappointing to concede but we showed great spirit to get the second goal and I think we deserved the win.
"We changed the system during the second half to a 4-2-3-1 to give us more impetus in the front line and apply more pressure."
