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Danny Ward has scored six goals this season but was denied another by Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland

Former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen helped Stoke move three points clear of the Championship relegation places with victory over Cardiff.

The Bluebirds gifted Stoke the lead when Callum Paterson headed into his own net from a corner.

Allen scrambled the ball home from close range after Tyrese Campbell's effort was blocked to secure victory.

Cardiff's play-off hopes were dented as they lost for just the third time in the league under boss Neil Harris.

They slip to 10th, a point behind rivals Swansea and six adrift of Preston in the final play-off berth, while victory lifts Stoke up to 19th, level on points with Middlesbrough.

Stoke striker Campbell had declared himself fit after going off with a calf injury in last weekend's 4-2 loss to QPR and he almost opened the scoring within minutes but was denied by a sharp save from Alex Smithies.

There was a good tempo to the Bluebirds' play in the first period and Will Vaulks provided a chance for Danny Ward, but Jack Butland denied him.

Ward was proving a threat and he fired wide from Albert Adomah's cross just beyond the half-hour, but by then Cardiff trailed from the unfortunate own goal.

Vaulks also tested Butland, but the hosts led at the interval and missed two early chances in the second half to double their advantage when Campbell and Nick Powell both curled narrowly wide.

However, Allen settled the nerves of Michael O'Neill's side by pouncing on a loose ball with 18 minutes left to make the game safe.

Stoke are now unbeaten in their last five home matches against Cardiff in all competitions since a 3-0 defeat in September 2005.

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Stoke:

"Three very welcome points. We were disappointed to lose the last two games so it was important to address that and I thought we were well worthy of victory.

"I thought Jordan Cousins had a very good game; the players see what quality he has, I thought he used the ball well and his delivery at set-pieces is very good and it was a great delivery for the goal.

"A clean sheet is a big bonus. At times this season we've conceded and been vulnerable and even when you're ahead that makes you wary."

Cardiff City manager Neil Harris told BBC Sport Wales:

"I was very disappointed in my side today, I felt from the first whistle Stoke looked like a team scrapping for their lives and we didn't match them.

"It pains me to say that. It is not often a Neil Harris team will be second best all over the pitch.

"But today I think you have to give credit to Stoke for the way they played and performed.

"For me as a manager it is very disappointing, I felt the goals we gave away were soft. I have no complaints with the result."