Cardiff City landed a significant blow in the battle for Championship survival as they dug in for a home win over Hull City to overtake their fellow strugglers.
Seemingly paralysed by the fear of losing such an important game, both sides served up one of the most forgettable first halves of football you are likely to see at any level this season.
Fortunately there was a marked improvement after the interval as Callum Robinson fired Cardiff in front with a controlled but deflected volley.
Anxiety set in again as the home side looked to cling on to their lead, and they were thankful that unmarked Hull centre-back Alfie Jones could only head straight at Bluebirds goalkeeper Evan Horvath in the closing stages.
Cardiff climb to 19th in the table - six points clear of the relegation zone - while Hull drop to 21st, with three points separating them and the bottom three.
At this advanced stage of a season, matches like these - between two teams sat uncomfortably close together towards the bottom of the table - can be unbearably tense.
And while there were undoubtedly nerves on both sides, the first half was so severely lacking in quality or meaningful incident that it was almost completely devoid of feeling.
Robinson managed two shots for Cardiff, one wide and the other comfortably saved, but had this match been a frame of snooker the referee might have suggested a re-rack.
The announcement of five added minutes prompted grumbles around Cardiff City Stadium, although Bluebirds forward Cian Ashford provided some late impetus with a darting run and pass for Yousef Salech, whose shot was pushed away by Ivor Pandur in the Hull goal.
That set the tone for a start to the second half where the intensity and pace of the game was far greater, with Perry Ng's free-kick drawing another save from Pandur.
Less than a minute later, the Hull goalkeeper was powerless as Chris Willock's cross was only cleared as far as Robinson, who carefully watched the ball come down and guided his volley into the bottom corner with the help of a deflection.
The home crowd were buoyant but, as Cardiff dropped back further to preserve their precious lead, apprehension crept in.
Hull toiled for an equaliser and, just when they thought their chance had come with six minutes left, Jones could only head Abu Kamara's inviting cross straight at Horvath.
There were further moments when Cardiff's players and fans held their breath, but the Bluebirds' defence was resolute enough to repel Hull's ailing attacking efforts and secure three vital points.
Cardiff City: Horvath, Fish, O’Dowda, Chambers (Bagan 78’), Mannsverk, Willock (Davies 63’), Salech (El Ghazi 78’), Rinomhota, Ng, Ashford (Colwill 85’), Robinson (Robertson 63’). Subs not used: Turner, Méïté, Lawlor, Giles.
Hull City: Pandur, Coyle ©, Hughes, Jones, McLoughlin (Amrabat 73’), Lincoln (Kamara 61’), Crooks, Slater (Alzate 61’), Joseph (João Pedro 61’), Gelhardt, Matazo (Puetra 20’). Subs not used: Lo-Tutala, Egan, Burns, Drameh.
