Deja Vu looked like being Deja three when Brentford levelled to 2 - 2 after City had led 2 - 0 at half time.
But an injury time winner from Kenwyne Jones bucked the trend of 2 - 2 home draws to send the few remaining fans home happy.
Tony Watt had given City an early lead. Jones doubled it before half time but Brentford came back twice to level with minutes left.
Tonight though Cardiff stepped up to wrestle the three points back and a Fabio left wing run and cross set up Jones for the injury time winner.
A declared shocking crowd of just 12729 was probably just a few thousand deep when Jones scored the winner just seconds before the final whistle.
City stay 7th but could move to 5th with a win at Birmingham on Friday and at the same time open up a six point gap over the Blues.