Late goals from Kenny Irons and Chris Hay capped a thrilling Huddersfield fight-back as the Terriers moved within touching distance of the play-offs.
The Bluebirds appeared to be cruising to a win, which would have guaranteed their own play-off spot, courtesy of a goal in each half from record signing Peter Thorne.
But Irons calmly slotted home a penalty after 79 minutes following a push on Andy Booth in the box and three minutes later winger Hay brought the sides level with a close range header.
Thorne had given the visitors the lead six minutes before the break, adding the finishing touch on the line to Leo Fortune West's hooked cross.
And the striker looked to have sealed the points after 62 minutes when he took Fortune West's through ball before cutting in and shooting across goalkeeper Martyn Margetson.
But Huddersfield's late rally ensured them a deserved share of the spoils and kept their bid for promotion on track.
Huddersfield: Margetson, Gareth Evans, Gray, Clarke, Jenkins, Hay, Heary, Irons, Thorrington, Knight, Facey. Subs: Paul Evans, Ifil, Moses, Delaney, Booth.
Cardiff: Alexander, Gabbidon, Young, Prior, Weston, Bonner, Kavanagh, Boland, Fortune-West, Earnshaw, Thorne. Subs: Maxwell, Brayson, Croft, Bowen, Bywater.
Referee: G Laws (Whitley Bay).