The visitors almost went in front as early as the second minute when Paul Parry found Joe Ledley sprinting through a huge gap in the heart of the Burnley defence, but Ledley's firmly struck shot was well saved by keeper Brian Jensen.
Burnley took the lead with their first real attack on 14 minutes as Graham Alexander crossed to the near post and Martin Paterson's shot on the turn was parried by keeper Peter Enckelman as far as Robbie Blake, who tucked the rebound away from six yards.
Cardiff deservedly equalised after 25 minutes when Wayne Routledge was sent clear of the defence and although his shot was blocked by Jensen, the ball ran kindly for Jay Bothroyd to slot home from close range.
The Welshman took the lead a minute after the break when Bothroyd's shot from 20 yards was parried by Jensen and Routledge converted the rebound.
Routledge went close to extending the lead but his shot took a deflection which sent the ball just the wrong side of the post.
Burnley equalised when Chris Eagles chased a lost cause and managed to cross from the right as far as Blake, whose shot was parried by Enckelman against the post for substitute Thompson to score.
Thompson had a chance for an unlikely winner but headed wide at the far post after more good work by Eagles.
That would have been harsh on Cardiff who enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the game and a point was the least they deserved.
However, the result illustrated the battling qualities which manager Owen Coyle has installed in his Burnley team.
External Reports
Official Cardiff City Website
Clarets Mad