Tony Watt opened his scoring account for Cardiff City as they won 3-2 at Bolton to move into a play-off spot.
The on-loan Charlton striker opened the scoring in the 13th minute but the home side equalised four minutes later through Gary Madine.
Scott Malone restored Cardiff’s lead in the 53rd minute but Dorian Devite brought the home team level again in the 71st minute.
After a traumatic week a win would have been welcomed by the home side but with ten minutes left to play Anthony Pilkington clinched the points for the Welsh club.
With Birmingham losing 2-0 at home to Huddersfield Cardiff have moved into sixth place as the busy festive period approaches.
Filip Twardzik was a late substitute for Bolton who are now three points adrift at the bottom of the table with just one win to their name.
Despite those grim statistics they are only four points behind fourth bottom Bristol City as they battle off the park for the financing required to avoid administration.
Neil Lennon has been battling on the playing front all season but now finds himself fighting on two fronts knowing that new owners are likely to want to bring in their own manager.
Watt combined well with Kenwyn Jones throughout the match as Cardiff rediscovered the goal touch that manager Russell Slade was looking for when he signed Watt on loan.
Elsewhere in the Championship Paul Lambert’s Blackburn Rovers enjoyed an impressive 2-0 win away to Bristol City thanks to goals from Grant Handley and Ben Marshall.
Lambert has yet to taste defeat since taking charge at Ewood Park and will be looking for full points from Friday’s match at home to second bottom Rotherham.
