In the week which Millwall director Theo Paphitis lauded the Championship as the league for entertainment, fans would have had a right to feel short-changed by the action on offer.
Cardiff, who earned a point in their last away outing in a six-goal thriller against Burnley, were solid in defence but landed just one shot on target against Millwall.
Their best chance fell to defender Jeff Whitley in the 77th minute when he fired in from the edge of the area only for keeper Andy Marshall to palm it over the bar.
And although Millwall, who are enjoying a mini-revival after a dire start to their campaign, looked the more likely to score, they were let down by poor finishing.
David Livermore should have handed the home side the lead with eight minutes on the clock but hacked the ball over the bar from just five yards out.
Barry Hayles was the most dangerous player for the home side and he should have scored in the 36th minute after he beat Darren Purse to fire in from close range.
Three minutes later he drew Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander into a point-blank save but the goal wouldn't have counted anyway as referee Andy D'Urso had already blown for a foul.
Just past the hour mark he sent Alexander diving with a rising drive that went just wide of the far post before he sliced a shot wide late on.
Livermore came close to breaking the deadlock just after the break with a curling free-kick from just outside the area which went into the side netting.
Carl Asaba highlighted Millwall's problem with finishing when he shot over the crossbar after Jamie Vincent had put him through with a ballooning long ball.
D'Urso was eager to reach for his whistle and his card pocket - booking four players before half time.
But one player who bizarrely escaped his attention was Purse, who stuck out an elbow to send Jody Morris sprawling into the dirt in the 33rd minute.
Morris was furious at the decision and made it clear to the referee who booked him for voicing his disapproval.
He was sent off in second-half injury time for a second yellow card.
Matt Lawrence managed to raise a cheer from the sparse crowd when he came on in the second half for his first Millwall appearance since suffering a knee ligament injury five weeks ago.