But the Bluebirds were pegged back by a goal apiece from Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher before veteran frontman Brett Ormerod cracked the winner in first-half stoppage time.
Michael Chopra and Joe Ledley twice put Cardiff ahead with crisp strikes but a Charlie Adam free-kick and a close-range finish from Gary Taylor-Fletcher drew the Lancashire side level on each occasion - before Brett Ormerod struck the winner shortly before the interval with a low strike.