Gavin Rae was a surprise inclusion in the Bluebirds starting line-up, while leading scorer Ross McCormack was on the bench nursing a slight groin strain.
Paul Parry fired high and wide on the turn in the sixth minute and, in the next attack, Jay Bothroyd went clean through only to have his half-hit shot blocked by Robins keeper Adriano Basso.
The visitors fought back after that early Bluebirds onslaught and Michael McIndoe almost went in on goal but Darren Purse made a timely tackle.
In the 24th minute, Bradley Orr brought Joe Ledley down just outside the area but Stephen McPhail's deep free-kick was cleared by the overworked Robins rearguard.
The Bluebirds kept up the pressure and Parry was just wide with a header, before Ledley had Basso scampering out of goal to hack another attack clear.
Just before the interval, Cardiff had a fright when Nicky Maynard hit a cross-shot against the woodwork with Tom Heaton stretching to save.
Maynard should have opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after Miguel Comminges appeared to have been fouled, leaving the former Crewe striker free to run on goal.
His low shot seemed to be on its way into the corner, but Heaton brilliantly palmed behind for a corner.
Roger Johnson and Peter Whittingham both went close as the Bluebirds returned to the attack.
In the 64th minute, Johnson threw himself in front of McIndoe to prevent a certain goal as the Robins upped the tempo.
Bothroyd then swung at a headed pass from Johnson only for Basso to dive full length to save.
The Robins were looking dangerous in attack with sub Steve Brooker up front and Ledley had to be sharp to clear as a long ball from McIndoe evaded Heaton.
Basso made a flying save from a Whittingham strike as both sides looked for the one goal to settle the match but a draw was a fair result.