A last-ditch fightback has seen the Arizona Cardinals win only their second game in 14 attempts with a 25-21 success over the Detroit Lions in Glendale.

Both sides failed to score in a tight first quarter, with Jay Feely eventually breaking the deadlock early in the second with a 47-yard field goal.

Detroit soon responded as Matthew Stafford found Calvin Johnson for a 72-yard touchdown pass, with the Lions finding the endzone in just three plays.

Andre Ellington and Carlson Palmer then combined for the Cardinals less than three minutes later for their first touchdown, but the Lions reclaimed the lead when Johnson ran in his second score from three yards soon after.

Midway through the third quarter DeAndre Levy's 66-yard interception return looked to have given Detroit a decisive 21-13 advantage, but Feely reduced the deficit to two points with a pair of field goals.

Some strong defense from the hosts saw them regain possession with under four minutes to play, Andre Roberts winning a first down near the line after pass interference from Bill Bentley.

Arizona quickly drove up the middle for a touchdown to regain the lead through Rashad Mendenhall.

Detroit went for broke in search of a touchdown in the final minute but came up short, with the Cardinals holding firm to get off the mark in the NFL this season.