Stewart Downing came close to opening the scoring early on, but his free kick came back off the post. The rebound then came to James Tomkins, who saw his close-range effort saved by David Marshall.

West Ham player Carlton Cole is congratulated after opening the scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Cardiff City and West Ham United at Cardiff City Stadium on January 11, 2014 © Getty Images

West Ham were then dealt a blow, as Guy Demel was forced off the pitch with a back injury following a long stoppage in play as he received medical treatment.

Kim Bo-Kyung came within inches of scoring for the hosts, when his attempt from long range came back off the bar.

Carlton Cole gave the visitors into the lead in the 42nd minute when he latched onto a cross from Matt Jarvis and fired the ball into the top corner of the net.

Mark Hudson had an opening for the hosts at the start of the second half, but he headed over the bar from Craig Bellamy's free kick.

James Tomkins of West Ham United is shown a red card by referee Lee Mason duering the Barclays Premier League match between Cardiff City and West Ham United at the Cardiff City Stadium on January 11, 2014 © Getty Images

Cardiff came even closer soon after when Frazier Campbell saw his close-range effort tipped over the bar by Adrian.

Bellamy was inches away from equalising for the Welsh outfit, as his free kick from just outside the box went wide of the post.

West Ham were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute of the match when Tomkins picked up his second yellow card for a high challenge on Campbell.

The visitors scored their second goal in the third minute of stoppage time, as Mark Noble fired a low strike past Marshall to seal a vital win and move the Hammers above their opponents in the table.