Birmingham City's five-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end in the south Wales rain as Yousef Salech's first-half goal earned Cardiff City a deserved 1-0 win.

In soaking conditions after an emotional tribute to the Aberfan disaster of 1966, Chris Davies' Blues looked second best for most of a game that was ultimately decided by Salech's fine finish, half an hour into the contest.

It was the first goal Birmingham had conceded in five hours of football, but they failed to find a response, seeing a run of three straight wins come to an end.

Substitute Demarai Gray may have snatched a draw in the final minutes, but Nathan Trott's save – his first of note in the game – ensured Birmingham's second league defeat of the season.

Conversely, it is now three successive home wins for newly-promoted Cardiff who are looking increasingly comfortable in the Championship.

Salech's goal, his third in the league, marked his return from a five-week absence with a shoulder injury.

Salech had not featured since Cardiff's win over Charlton Athletic before last month's international break, injuring a shoulder as the Bluebirds registered their first win since promotion back from League One.

Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy – watching from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban – was forced into a shuffle and introducing Salech earlier than expected when it emerged former Blues man Krystian Bielik needed to be withdrawn.

But, as the rain fell, Cardiff did not look flustered by the change.

Their game of pressure and possession continued as it has done in the recent win over Watford and eye-catching draw at Middlesbrough.

And when Tomoki Iwta refused to let go of Perry Ng at a Cardiff corner, the chance to open from the spot came – only for James Beadle to save Salech's poorly executed effort.

Salech, though, showed textbook centre-forward play when, reacting to a low cross from Ollie Tanner, he expertly beat Phil Neumann before rolling home from close range.

Salech may have added to his tally, going close with a glancing header from a corner and shooting just wide from a Cardiff high-press.

Cian Asford, too, was denied finishing off a superb sweeping move with Beadle alert to the danger.

Trott, in comparison, had a quiet afternoon until Birmingham finally found their energy and drive in the closing stages.

But he stood tall to keep out Gray from inside the area, with Cardiff holding the late Birmingham rally at bay for a third win of the campaign.

It was a game that underlined the gradual improvement of Brian Barry-Murphy's side, who had to wait until their seventh game of their return to the second tier before registering a first victory.

There had been signs that they were starting to find a way to add a ruthless edge to their often impressive play, such as that 5-1 thrashing of Watford.

But a daunting run of fixtures represented a real test, including this visit of a Birmingham side that have looked every inch a team to be taken seriously this season.

Cardiff answered plenty of questions with this performance, as did Salech who has not found goals easy to come by. The return of the striker will give much hope ahead of games with Wolves and West Ham.

But a first clean sheet since April should not be underestimated, with Trott's late save and an assured display from Will Fish key.

A different story for disappointing Birmingham, who may complain whether Neumann was fouled as Salech turned him, but can not complain about the result.

Missing joint-top scorer August Priske, they will perhaps look back at an early chance for replacement Luis Vazquez as a key moment.

But in truth they took far too long to find the kind of rhythm and resilience, with their rally with time running out too little, too late.

With a trip to Lincoln City up next, they can expect another awkward away day – and Davies will expect more from his side.

Birmingham City manager Chris Davies told BBC Sport Wales:

"I think the best team won, they deserved it. In any game, if you're second to the ball that much it's going to be hard. We couldn't get on top of them until the last 15 minutes or so where we might have nicked it.

"Every time we had the ball there was a blue shirt on us. Too much of the play was around our half-way line and we couldn't get close to their box.

"Defensively we were very disorganised for the first goal which is unlike us and gave us a big job to recover and we couldn't quite get going until the end.

"It's a game I knew that would tough, they play with a press and energy - but we expected more from ourselves."

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy told BBC Sport Wales:

"I think it's great because we're so stretched. We had to make a change in the last minute before we went on the pitch, but the players' ability to understand the alterations and see it as an opportunity to produce a performance that was so dominant is a testament to their attitude to overcome any challenges put in front of them.

"The goal was a really good move. Some of our play in the first half was very incisive, so we were getting good chances.

"I'm very pleased that Yousef did such a great job for the team in such unexpected circumstances."