First-half goals by Peter Thorne and James Collins were enough to ease the Bluebirds to a crucial victory. Thorne despatched a penalty in the 16th minute and Collins doubled the lead from City's next attack.
The Bluebirds lost their sparkle in the second half, but Brighton, one of the poorest sides seen at Ninian Park this season, rarely troubled the home goal.
The Seagulls flew on to the attack in the first minute and Nathan Jones fired in a crisp daisy-cutter that City keeper Neil Alexander watched whistle past his post.
A mistake by Danny Gabbidon gave Jones another shooting opportunity but once again he pulled his shot wide.
City were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Guy Butters pushed Richard Langley in the box after an Alan Lee header had struck the crossbar.
Thorne strode up and comfortably lashed the spot-kick into the back of the net.
Brighton were all at sea and when they failed to clear a Graham Kavanagh free-kick from wide on the right in the 19th minute Collins leapt high to head into the roof of the net and double the lead.
On the half hour a cleverly taken corner by Kavanagh put Jobi McAnuff in space and his viciously struck shot rebounded off the crossbar with Brighton keeper David Yelldell well beaten.
Adam Hinshelwood was forced to head behind for a corner as the Bluebirds went straight on to the attack after the interval.
Brighton boss Mark McGhee made a couple of changes in the 51st minute with Gary Hart and Dan Harding joining the fray in an attempt to liven up what was a poor Brighton performance.
The changes did briefly perk up the visitors but Cardiff were soon back on the attack and McAnuff blazed a shot high and wide from a promising position.
Joe Ledley replaced the tiring Lee and McAnuff was pushed up front to partner Thorne, but with Adam Virgo now playing a forward role the visitors were far more of a threat.
After being booked in the first half VIrgo was luck to stay on the field after a final minute elbow on Collins that left the young City defender lying on the deck.
The victory means that Cardiff are now only a point behind Brighton but still have a game in hand.
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The Bluebirds lost their sparkle in the second half, but Brighton, one of the poorest sides seen at Ninian Park this season, rarely troubled the home goal.
The Seagulls flew on to the attack in the first minute and Nathan Jones fired in a crisp daisy-cutter that City keeper Neil Alexander watched whistle past his post.
A mistake by Danny Gabbidon gave Jones another shooting opportunity but once again he pulled his shot wide.
City were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Guy Butters pushed Richard Langley in the box after an Alan Lee header had struck the crossbar.
Thorne strode up and comfortably lashed the spot-kick into the back of the net.
Brighton were all at sea and when they failed to clear a Graham Kavanagh free-kick from wide on the right in the 19th minute Collins leapt high to head into the roof of the net and double the lead.
On the half hour a cleverly taken corner by Kavanagh put Jobi McAnuff in space and his viciously struck shot rebounded off the crossbar with Brighton keeper David Yelldell well beaten.
Adam Hinshelwood was forced to head behind for a corner as the Bluebirds went straight on to the attack after the interval.
Brighton boss Mark McGhee made a couple of changes in the 51st minute with Gary Hart and Dan Harding joining the fray in an attempt to liven up what was a poor Brighton performance.
The changes did briefly perk up the visitors but Cardiff were soon back on the attack and McAnuff blazed a shot high and wide from a promising position.
Joe Ledley replaced the tiring Lee and McAnuff was pushed up front to partner Thorne, but with Adam Virgo now playing a forward role the visitors were far more of a threat.
After being booked in the first half VIrgo was luck to stay on the field after a final minute elbow on Collins that left the young City defender lying on the deck.
The victory means that Cardiff are now only a point behind Brighton but still have a game in hand.
Latest League & Form tables