Cardiff and Queens Park Rangers settled for a point apiece in a forgettable 0-0 draw in south Wales.
Cardiff, the lowest scorers in the Championship, looked the more likely side to find a winner, but were let down by poor finishing.
Bluebirds striker Kion Etete missed two good chances as he failed to hit the target in a contest where both goalkeepers had an easy evening.
QPR lacked attacking threat but also defended impressively to earn a point.
The Rs drop outside the play-off places on goal difference, level on points with sixth-placed Millwall.
The Bluebirds rise to 20th in the Championship, but remain just two points above the relegation zone with a transfer embargo possibly meaning they will not be able to add to their squad in January.
The possibility of a transfer hiatus means Cardiff boss Mark Hudson needs his players fit and he was boosted with Wales midfielder Rubin Colwill cleared to start just his second league game of the season after injury issues caused by a growth spurt.
Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Critchley made one change to the side that beat Preston 1-0 in his first game in charge, with Robert Dickie replacing Jake Clarke-Salter, who missed out through illness.
It was Colwill who produced the first significant effort of the match, but his free-kick just missed the upright, as did Kenneth Paal's effort at the other end in a first half of few chances.
The Bluebirds might have edged ahead before the interval, but Callum Robinson was inches away from converting Ryan Wintle's dangerous cross, before he also fired over the crossbar in stoppage time and Perry Ng headed wide.
Cardiff should have gone in front on 50 minutes but Etete's finish was a bad as his first touch was sublime as he beautifully controlled a loose ball before firing wide from close range.
Etete again found himself in a great position to score approaching the hour mark, but he fired over as he opted for power over placement after Cedric Kipre's gave him a free sight of goal inside the penalty area.
The visitors hardly had a sniff of goal as they dug deep looking to ensure at least a point, but Lyndon Dykes was not far wide with a header after a rare foray forward by the Rs.
Cardiff substitute Mark Harris might have won it in the last minute of normal time, but he could only watch the ball go wide as he opted not to divert Callum O'Dowda's header at goal.
Cardiff City: Allsop, Romeo, Wintle, Ralls, Etete, O’Dowda, Kipre, Philogene (Harris 67’), Colwill (Whyte 83’), Ng, Robinson.
Subs not used: Luthra, Sang, Simpson, Rinomhota, Nkounkou.
Queens Park Rangers: Dieng, Dunne, Dickie, Willock (Shodipo 73’), Dykes (Roberts 73’), Field, Dozzell, Paal, Laird, Adomah (Chair 73’), Iroegbunam (Amos 79’).
Subs not used: Archer, Kakay, Masterson.