The Bluebirds travelled to Loftus Road in the knowledge that a play-off spot could become a certainty if they could claim maximum points against a Queens Park Rangers side, not yet certain of Championship survival themselves.

But it would be the home side who would dominate from the off, tricky playmaker Adel Taarabt instantly stating Rangers' intentions with an early run and shot that just skipped past the far post. Jay Simpson was next to threaten the Bluebirds goal as he got hold of a mishit Leigertwood shot from the right, but Simpson would also fail to test keeper David Marshall in goal.

City had barely ventured into the QPR half in the opening ten minutes and the Hoops soon threatened once again, as Hogan Ephraim chipped in from the left towards Tamas Priskin, but before the Hungarian could nod home, Marshall scrambled to cut out the cross and deny him the opportunity.

Peter Whittingham would bring momentary restbite for the Bluebirds with a delightful chip to put Jay Bothroyd in space on the edge of the penalty area. Jay hit a low cross, which was easily cut out by Cerny, leaving McCormack to scream for the ball on the penalty spot.

But QPR instantly responded with their closest effort yet. Taarabt again troubled the City midfield with a mazy run, giving him the time and space to test his shooting boots once again. This time though, he would trouble City's David Marshall, beating him all hands up with his effort, only to be denied by the inside of the near post.

But the Bluebirds looked to have weathered the storm, as City finally found some sort of rhythm at Loftus Road. Some good interplay between frontmen Bothroyd and McCormack showed signs of promise, before Whittingham capitalised on some space vacated by an attack minded QPR formation, cutting inside before setting McPhail up for the shot; an effort the Irishman could only hit just wide of the near post.

Ephraim instantly responded with a tame long range effort for QPR, but the game would soon cool off as it headed towards the break. There would be time for one more Rangers chance and it again stemmed from the unpredictable Taarabt with just stoppage time left.

Teasing Kennedy with his trickery, Taarabt left the Irishman chasing shadows as he hit a low cross into the penalty area. It was in perfect range for Priskin but instead of slotting home, the on loan Ipswich striker produced a complete air shot, to ensure the sides remained level going into the break.

HALF TIME: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0-0 CARDIFF CITY

City had now failed to score in over 220 minutes of football, but as the second period got underway, neither side looked like breaking the deadlock as they continued to cancel each other out. It would quickly come to life as Peter Ramage hacked down an advancing Bothroyd on the edge of the penalty area.

McCormack lined up the free kick from twenty yards out, curling the ball over the wall to what looked like an easy test for Rangers keeper Cerny. Instead the Czech stopper fumbled, handing the chance to Anthony Gerrard to tap the ball home and give City the lead, but instead only tapped wide under pressure from Ramage, who atoned for his earlier error.

Cardiff City Substitution: Ross McCormack off - Michael Chopra on (62 mins)

It signalled a period of pressure for City as Joe Ledley put McCormack into space on the right flank. The Scot whipped in a superb cross into the area, only for Bothroyd to scoop his effort over the bar.

However, the home side would respond just three minutes later, as Alejandro Faurlin hit a perfect long ball over the City defence to find Jay Simpson in the penalty area. The on loan Arsenal striker laid the ball off to Ephraim under pressure, only to slash his effort high and wide of Marshall's goal.

Cardiff City Substitution: Chris Burke off - Kelvin Etuhu on (67 mins)

The game would again cool off as both sides looked for any route to break the deadlock. But with just ten minutes remaining, Ledley would start and finish a move that would secure the Bluebirds a play-off spot and finally break City's recent scoreless run, by nodding home his third goal of the season at the far post.

In City's best move of the match, Ledley started a delightful series of passes to find Whittingham who in turn put Mark Kennedy free on the left flank. In space, the City left back floated in a superb cross to the far post, meeting the superb run from deep by Ledley who happily headed home to give City the lead and secure their play-off place.

GOAL: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Cardiff City (Joe Ledley 80 mins)

QPR Substitution: Hogan Ephraim, Jay Simpson off - Josh Parker, Lee Cook on (83 mins)

Making an instant response to falling behind, Rangers' manager Neil Warnock introduced Lee Cook to the proceedings, and it almost proved to be inspired as Taarabt hit his latest cross into the area. Substitute Cook picked up the cross on the edge of the six yard box, and looked destined to equalise, but could only hit his effort straight at David Marshall who saved well at close range.

QPR Substitution: Tamas Priskin off - Antonio German on (90 mins)

A few tense, teasing last few minutes remained as the travelling Bluebirds fans waited with bated breath for the referee to blow his whistle for full-time. But there would be no further QPR chances to come as the referee signalled for full time to the delight of the Bluebirds fans and players. Play-offs were now a certainty.

FULL TIME: QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0-1 CARDIFF CITY