Cardiff City claimed a huge three points in the context of the relegation battle thanks to Callum Robinson's winner against Hull City.
It was a metaphorical six-pointer at the bottom end of the table, and after a victory slipped through their grasp against fellow strugglers Plymouth at the weekend, this felt like a big one.
And it was that man Robinson, with his 12th of the season, who pulled Cardiff out of trouble once again, with his volley not long after the break the difference between two sides who were both very poor, it must be said, on the night.
There were a number of injury concerns heading into the match and rightly so. Jak Alnwick was sidelined after an injury at Plymouth, so, too, was Will Alves, while Joe Ralls didn't return and Aaron Ramsey's workload was being managed.
Thankfully, the likes of Calum Chambers and Callum Robinson returned, while Joel Bagan, who limped off at Home Park, and Alex Robertson, were enough only for the bench.
Given Dimitrios Goutas's suspension after his red at the weekend, the lineup did have a slightly odd feel about it. We had a left winger at left back (captain Callum O'Dowda), a right back at left centre-back (Perry Ng), a centre-back in his rightful position (Will Fish), a central midfielder at right-back (Andy Rinomhota) and a centre-back in central midfield (Chambers).
The first half was quite possibly the worst half of football all season and the less said about it, the better, quite frankly. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
After some early glimpses, including some positive runs from Chris Willock and Cian Ashford which came to very little, Hull settled into what was a very turgid brand of football. They clung on to the ball, passed in safe areas and the hosts jus could not get it off of them.
The visitors created very, very little, but Ruben Selles, the visiting manager, applauded every harmless pass as if it were their last. It made for an utterly dull half of football, punctuated by fleeting moments from Cardiff on the counter.
Robinson, in his defence tested Ivor Pandur a couple of times, the first saw a left-footed effort just skirt past the outside of the post after he spun his man on the edge of the box, the second effort was straight down the keeper's throat.
Ashford was the liveliest player on the pitch and it was his pace and directness which set up the only real chance of the half, just before the half-time whistle. The youngster hared down the wing, leaving Sean McLoughlin trailing in his wake, before squaring to the in-form Yousef Salech, who took a calm touch before firing a quick shot off, forcing Pandur into a smart reaction save.
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Fortunately, for all concerned, the second half got off to a far livelier start. The rapid Ashford was a thorn in Hull's side again and his sharp burst through the middle of the pitch drew a foul from Regan Slater. Perry Ng's lovely, clipped free-kick was pawed behind for a corner by Pandur.
It got the crowd up and moments later Cardiff were ahead. A cross from Willock was half cleared to near the edge of the box where Robinson was lurking and the Irishman leathered a volley on goal. It was going straight at Pandur until it took a decisive deflection, which steered the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the corner for the forward's 12th of the season.
The game, thankfully, opened up. Hull made changes and threw bodies forward and, in turn, Cardiff found space for their speed merchants, Ashford and Isaak Davies, to run into. It made for a fascinating final 25 minutes or so.
The Tigers pushed but the Bluebirds held firm, very firm. Given the paucity of clean sheets this season, Cardiff fans were right to be worried, perhaps, but their side did them proud and held out despite waves of attacks from the visitors.
Given Stoke City's defeat by Middlesbrough, Cardiff's win sees them leapfrog both Hull and the Potters into 19th, six points from the bottom three.
Cardiff City XI: Horvath; Ng, Chambers (Bagan 78), Fish, O'Dowda; Rinomhota, Mannsverk; Ashford (Colwill 85), Robinson (Robertson 63), Willock (Davies 63); Salech (El Ghazi 78).
Subs: Turner, Lawlor, Giles, Meite.
Hull City XI: Pandur; Coyle, Hughes, Jones, McLoughlin (Amrabat 73); Slater (Alzate 61), Crooks; Gelhardt, Matazo (Puerta 20), Lincoln (Kamara 61); Joseph (Pedro 61).
Subs: Lo-Tutala, Egan, Burns, Drameh.
Key Events
89
Free-kick. Crooks just bundles Ng over and it hits the defender and almost ricochets into his own net! But a free-kick is given.
84
Huge chance for Hull!
Alfie Jones is found with acres of space from a Kamara cross, but plants it right into Horvath's hands!
79
All getting a bit nervy here. Horvath has to come out and collect a threatening cross.
78
Terrible from Amrabat. He's played in, unmarked, in the box and lifted it over the bar. Poor cross.
74
Super work from O'Dowda. Nicks the ball from Amrabat and then wins a free-kick himself.
72
Heart in mouth stuff there for Cardiff. Rinomhota loses the ball as the last man and Kamara runs the length of the pitch. Puerta then sticks a cross in to Pedro, who is inches away from heading home from point-blank range!
69
O'Dowda slides in Ashford, who returns the favour but for Robertson. He does well to win a corner.
68
Kamara and Ashford having a fascinating battle here. Ashford just getting the better of him, for the time being.
65
Another wonderful run from Ashford - what a game he is having - he skins his full back and puts in a dangerous cross, but Robertson cannot turn home.
61
Triple sub for Hull.
Slater off, Alzate on.
Joseph off, Pedro on.
Lincoln off, Kamara on.
58
Another positive breakaway from O'Dowda and Chambers looks to find him again with a diagonal ball - but there's too much heat on it.
GOAL! Cardiff City 1-0 Hull City (Robinson 52)
GOOOOAL! Robinson!
Willock's cross is half cleared and Robinson strikes a volley sweetly before it deflects past Pandur!
50
Another top run from the dangerous Ashford, who wins a free-kick after Slater hauls him down 20 yards out and central.
HALF-TIME! Cardiff City 0-0 Hull City
And there it is, the sweet mercy of the half-time whistle.
45+3
FINALLY SOME LIFE INTO THIS MATCH!
Ashford with a wonderful run down the right and he picks out Salech with a great ball. The striker shoots but it's straight at Pandur, who saves well. City win a corner.
