Peter Whittingham's goal gave Cardiff the points in the Coca-Cola Championship as Bristol City's promotion push continued to come off the rails.

The Bluebirds dug deep to snatch a well-deserved victory after Dele Adebola had cancelled out Roger Johnson's headed opener a minute before the break.

Despite seeing his spot-kick saved following Marvin Elliott's foul on Stephen McPhail, Whittingham kept his cool at the second attempt as he followed up to score from the rebound 12 minutes from time.

It was the perfect way for Cardiff to celebrate the news that they have been hauled back from the brink of financial disaster after the High Court earlier this week rejected Swiss investment bank Langston's claims that £24million in loan notes owed should be paid back immediately.

For Bristol City, meanwhile, it was another massive blow to their hopes of promotion to the Premiership as they extended their winless run to five games.

Cardiff had been by far the more threatening early on as Glenn Loovens blasted over the crossbar and Johnson's shot flew wide.

McPhail then tried his luck from distance after 16 minutes before Thompson tested goalkeeper Adriano Basso for the first time from 18 yards.

The Robins finally responded when Ivan Sproule and Michael McIndoe fired in efforts in quick succession but it was a scrappy game as both sides struggled to string together more than a few passes.

The visitors did carve Cardiff open just past the half-hour mark only for Australian midfielder Nick Carle to drill his 25-yard effort wide, but Johnson made no such mistake at the other end when he met Whittingham's inswinging free-kick a minute before half-time.

Bristol City came out after the break with slightly more purpose and Sproule crossed for Adebola to head over the crossbar.

Then against the run of play they got the equaliser after 72 minutes.

The home defence were caught napping when Jamie McAllister picked up the ball on the left and when he curled in a superb cross Adebola was on hand to head home.

That looked to be just the spur that Bristol City needed and when McAllister got away again a minute later he flashed a shot past the post.

Cardiff, though, still looked the more dangerous side and with 12 minutes left they got their winner when Elliott tangled with McPhail in the box and Whittingham slammed home from the spot at the second attempt after Basso had parried the ball back into his path.

Teams:

Cardiff Enckelman, Blake, Loovens, Johnson, Capaldi,Whittingham (Ramsey 81), Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Thompson, Parry.

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse, Feeney, Sinclair.

Booked: Thompson.

Goals: Johnson 44, Whittingham 81.

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Carey, Elliott, McAllister, McIndoe,Carle (Skuse 74), Vasko (Fontaine 46), Sproule (Brooker 69),Trundle, Adebola.

Subs Not Used: Weale, Byfield.

Booked: Orr.

Goals: Adebola 73.

Att: 16,458

Ref: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).