Crystal Palace have one foot in the Carling Cup final after Anthony Gardner’s header gave them a narrow 1-0 lead going into the second leg.

Gardner, a doubt before kick off with the virus that has swept through the Palace ranks, scored just before half-time although the Eagles were thankful to referee Mike Dean for disallowing Kenny Miller’s header for a push on Julian Speroni for a push only he saw.

Gardner then excelled in defence as Palace were forced to put their bodies on the line as Cardiff pressed for a vital equaliser but, ultimately, Speroni had few saves to make.

While many Eagles fan would take a 1-0 first leg lead, a second goal would have given Palace security going into the second leg in two weeks time.

It was all Cardiff in the early stages as Palace struggled to find their game and string passes together.

Kagisho Dikgacoi’s foul gave Peter Whittingham the chance of scoring one of his trademark free kicks but he could only hit it low into the wall.

A Joe Ralls shot was deflected into Speroni’s hands before Palace began to grow into the game after quarter of an hour.

Wilfried Zaha earned a corner that Darren Ambrose delivered onto the head of the unmarked Glenn Murray who headed into the ground and wide.

Ben Turner should have put Cardiff ahead when he headed Whittingham’s corner over at the other end before Dikgacoi shot straight at Tom Heaten following a flowing Palace attack.

Gardner denied Miller with a flying block before putting the Eagles ahead.

Ambrose delivered a perfect free kick which Mile Jedinak beat Heaton to, to flick the ball on for Gardner to head home and send Selhurst Park into euphoria.

The Eagles started the second half much better but had little to show for it and looked to have been pegged back when Miller converted only for Dean to deny him.

Cardiff began to control possession as Palace soaked up the pressure but bar a low Ralls shot that was easy for Speroni and Andrew Taylor firing over, they struggled to get through a stubborn Palace rearguard.

It leaves the tie set up nicely for the return leg in Cardiff and the Eagles one step nearer their first major cup final since 1990.