Neath, with a point to prove against one of the so-called 'gang of six' who would see them sidelined from a proposed new Welsh club elite, battled all the way until finally sunk by an injury-time drop goal from Cardiff replacement Nicky Robinson.

The visitors had already wasted a couple of chances when Lee Jarvis, a former Cardiff player, put them ahead after 13 minutes with a superbly struck penalty from within his own half, adding a drop goal three minutes later.

Cardiff's cause was not helped when hooker Jonathan Humphreys received a yellow card and centre Pieter Muller was forced off with a suspected broken ankle.

Iestyn Harris finally put them on the board with a simple penalty - his only success in four first-half attempts - but Jarvis kicked another long-range effort before the interval.

Brilliant back play featuring Craig Morgan, in his first league outing of the season, ended with giant wing Craig Hudson going behind the posts for Harris' conversion to put Cardiff into the lead for the first time.

A Harris penalty extended their advantage, but Jarvis responded with his second drop goal.

Nick Robinson almost scored in the corner but was tackled into touch by Neath wing Kevin James and the visitors came close themselves when Cardiff lock John Tait was hoisted high to block a Jarvis penalty as it crept over the bar.

Then came Robinson's drop goal followed by some desperate last-ditch Neath attacks, but Cardiff's defence held out.