A Lee Tomlin strike in the 73rd minute consigned Luton to a 21st Championship defeat in a game they needed to take something from to maintain realistic hopes of a survival bid.
Mathematically, there are still enough points to play for this term, but with 11 straight defeats on the road, this was a home opportunity wasted against a Cardiff side that did nothing spectacular yet still came away with the spoils.
Luton are now nine points adrift at the bottom of the table, with the division’s worst goal difference.
The frustrating aspect was that the Hatters played well in the opening period. They had chances to score but took none of them, ultimately paying the price.
Harry Cornick had two golden chances in the first half, but let a Ryan Tunnicliffe assist roll under his boot and dragged a shot wide, as they got to half time frustrating goalless, despite being on top for large periods, with Izzy Brown at the heart of their attacking play.
But, as is so often the case, Town couldn’t sustain it and were second best in an ugly second half. Though Cardiff’s primary tactic of lump it in the box was reasonably well-contained, what offensive spark they’d had in the first period, had disappeared.
Rather, it was at the other end where the action took place, Simon Sluga making two good saves, to claw away a dangerous in-swiniging Joe Bennett corner, then rescuing Matty Pearson’s mistake with a stunning reaction save to deny Callum Peterson.
Yet, as the match progressed, but the quality did not, there was the sense that a first goal would be the decider and Tomlin, who’d barely had a touch, turned Glen Rea on the edge of the area to pick his spot in the bottom corner.
Town had hardly threatened in the second half, but James Collins had two chances to level. The first came immediately after Cardiff’s opener, when Dan Potts lashed a cross into the box and the striker launched himself at the opportunity, but his diving header powered high over the bar.
Then, at the death, substitute George Moncur’s shot was fumbled by Alex Smithies right into Collins’ path but, somehow, he missed it and, after hitting the deck, saw claims of a penalty waved away.
