Welshman With the game's lone goal in south Wales, Tom Bradshaw raised Cardiff's relegation concerns and put Millwall in contention for the Championship play-offs.
Prior to kickoff, Cardiff supporters held a demonstration urging owner Vincent Tan to sell the team; they have now gone 11 games without a victory across all competitions.
Although interim manager Dean Whitehead was unable to stop the Bluebirds' decline, they were spared the shame of finishing in the bottom three when Blackpool's game against Huddersfield Town was postponed.
Just two points separate Millwall from Watford in third place as they remain there. The visitors got off to a strong start with Mason Bennett's high and wide shot from 25 yards and Zian Flemming's 35-yard attempt.
At the opposite end, Callum Robinson's header was deflected wide, although Millwall ought to have taken the lead in the 12th minute. Flemming was found in the centre by George Honeyman, but his side-foot attempt from 12 yards out was wide.
Bradshaw's goal in the 26th minute ensured that Gary Rowett's team did not have to wait long to break the tie. Jake Cooper received too much room and time to move forward and slide a pass through for Bradshaw after Jaden Philogene lost possession of the ball.
Even though Bradshaw managed to slip a shot between Ryan Allsop's legs while Cedric Kipre was trying to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick, Kipre should have dealt with it. Cardiff recovered strongly from the setback and had a chance to tie the game up before halftime.
From 25 yards, Philogene fired a shot just wide. Later, after Robinson had robbed Cooper in the center circle, Philogene saw another attempt of his blocked by Shaun Hutchinson. Before the recalled Mark McGuinness missed the goal from the corner, Robinson, a bright spot in the Cardiff assault, also had a cross-shot nodded behind by Callum Styles.
But before the break, Allsop made saves from George Saville and Bradshaw, and the home crowd booed as the final whistle sounded. The Bluebirds made their comeback two minutes before Millwall and came out firing in the second half.
After playing a one-two with Kion Etete on the edge of the box, Robinson curled just wide. Shortly after, Etete went around Hutchinson and curled a shot just wide. Just before the hour mark, Sheyi Ojo missed a golden opportunity when he headed Calum O'Dowda's cross wide.
Despite being under pressure, Millwall would have doubled their lead on the break had McGuinness not stopped Honeyman from shooting goalward. Despite Millwall keeping Cardiff at a distance, Cooper was fortunate to avoid punishment for an apparent forearm smash on substitute Isaak Davies late in the game.
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