Town continued an unbeaten run at Portman Road that goes back to September thanks to a brace from Daryl Murphy.

The 26-year-old guided in Jack Colback's pass for Blues' opener inside the first 20 minutes and then beat the outstanding David Marshall early in the second-half after the Cardiff 'keeper had kept out Owen Garvan's low drive.

Murphy was denied a hat-trick by Marshall's reflexes, the 'Bluebirds' No.1 also denying Pablo Counago's from close range.

Town made four changes to the side that lost at Blackpool on Saturday, with David Healy starting up front, David Wright coming in at full-back, Garvan replacing the suspended Grant Leadbitter in midfield and Shane O'Connor handed his home debut.

Blues started brightly with Garvan pulling the strings in the middle of the park, the Republic of Ireland U21 international teeing up Murphy with David Marshall brilliantly clawing away his header to prevent Town taking an eighth minute lead.

Gabor Gyepes diverted Garvan's free-kick away from danger after Healy had been fouled, while at the other end Michael Chopra sent a spectacular overhead kick over the bar.

Town got the breakthrough on 18 minutes, Colback fed the ball back into the box and Murphy gave Marshall no chance with a first time finish.

Colback fired over with an ambitious effort from distance, then a Murphy run set up David Norris but Marshall plucked his cross out of the air.

The Cardiff 'keeper dived to his left to save from Gareth McAuley's flicked effort, the Town defender in the right place minutes later to clear from Jay Bothroyd.

Kevin McNaughton beat Jon Walters to Healy's cross after he had linked up with fellow Sunderland loanee Murphy and the last chance of the half fell to another with Black Cats' links, Chopra sending his shot well wide from eight yards in Cardiff's clearest chance of the first 45 minutes.

Chopra had a snap shot wide in the opening minute of the second-half, the striker then picking up a yellow card after what appeared to be push to Garvan's header as they tangled for the ball on the ground.

Garvan had a hand in Town's second goal seconds later, the midfielder lashing a shot that was palmed away by Marshall only for Murphy to bury the rebound.

Counago replaced Healy before the restart, Cardiff also making a first change with Tony Capaldi on for Adam Matthews.

Counago immediately in the action with a pass that almost put Colback in, Marshall clearing from outside his box.
The Bluebirds' 'keeper had an anxious moment when his clearance cannoned back off Jon Walters and headed towards goal, Marshall winning the race for the loose ball.

The former Celtic 'keeper was in the thick of the action again, denying Murphy with another top class save after the Republic of Ireland international sent a right foot effort at goal from eight yards.

Marshall produced another save to deny Counago's header from Walters' cross as Town threatened a third.
Damien Delaney became the first Blue to be booked after a foul, Norris then following for a foul on Bothroyd. Connor Wickham replaced Murphy for the last 10 minutes.

Counago had the ball in the net but not before referee Grant Hegley had penalised him for a challenge on Gyepes but Town ran out worthy winners with Brian Murphy rarely tested in the Blues' goal.

Town: B.Murphy, D.Wright, McAuley, Delaney, O'Connor, Walters, Norris, Garvan, Colback, Healy (Counago 58), D.Murphy (Wickham 79). Subs not used: Lee-Barrett, Martin, Peters, Balkestein, Edwards. Booked: Delaney, Norris

Cardiff: Marshall, Matthews (Capaldi 58), Gyepes, Gerrard, McNaughton, Burke, Blake, Rae, McCormack, Bothroyd, Chopra. Subs not used: Enckleman, Quinn, Taiwo, Feeney, Wildig, Meades. Booked: Chopra.
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