Jason Euall keeps Mark Kennedy at bay as the Saints take the spoils
A controversial penalty from David McGoldrick after 11 minutes earned struggling Southampton a vital win in their fight against relegation.
The result brought an end to Cardiff's 13-match unbeaten Championship run and hurt their play-off hopes.
Mark Kennedy was penalised for handling in his own goal area after good work from Jason Euell and McGoldrick struck.
The Saints climbed one place to third from bottom while Dave Jones' side dropped to sixth in the table.
Southampton boss Mark Wotte: "You have to be united, that is very important and there is a great spirit in the team now.
"The players believe they can stay up and we have had two fantastic results and now we have to keep winning.
"Defensively we were excellent and this is our first clean sheet for some time.
"I am very proud of my team and the way they have been fighting for each other in the last few weeks."
Cardiff City boss Dave Jones: "I don't think we performed anywhere near what we are capable of. I think possibly four out-field players did their jobs and the rest didn't turn up.
"It's hard to swallow... It's a harsh decision for the penalty when you're looking for a little bit of luck.
"I wished the linesman's eyes had been as sharp [in the second-half] as they were in the first-half because it's a clear-cut penalty when the [Southampton] lad hands it back to the keeper.
"But full credit to Southampton - they worked harder than us and we didn't really cause the keeper any great concern."
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