Manager Dave Jones hailed two-goal hero Ross McCormack after his double in the win over Burnley maintained Cardiff's push for an automatic promotion spot in the Championship.
Jay Bothroyd opened the scoring before Robbie Blake's late leveller, but with a game heading for a draw, the Scotland striker popped up moments later as Cardiff regained the lead before a late strike sealed a 3-1 victory.
Jones said: "Ross was top drawer. But I thought long hard about bringing him or Michael Chopra off."
He added: "In the end I went for Chops as he's been struggling with a heel injury.
"He (McCormack) didn't get a kick for 60 minutes but when it opened up he came into his own."
Cardiff's second win in 48 hours lifted Jones' side, who still have crucial game in hand, to just four points behind second-placed Birmingham.
Jones added: "We will keep chasing down and see where it takes us. We have played four games in eight days, and that includes a derby match.
"Nobody is looking too far ahead. You can't do that. All we can do is push the teams above us. It may be a cliché but we are taking it a game at a time.
"I know to win against a very good side here won't do my players any harm. It was a tight affair and it opened up towards the end which we capitalised on."
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