The victory for the Crusaders, which extended the Blues' losing streak to four games, moved them to top of the New Zealand conference on 57 points before they meet the Hurricanes in Wellington next week in the last round of matches.
The Blues have 56 points and finish the regular season at home to the Highlanders next Friday.
"It was an outstanding game, probably not the most pretty to watch but both teams really wanted that game," Crusaders captain Kieran Read said.
"The boys really stuck at it and it took an 80 minute performance but I'm really proud of the lads to get over the line with that one."
While several All Blacks contenders, including Blues lock Ali Williams and inside centre Benson Stanley were impressive, coach Graham Henry will be concerned with the injury toll from the bruising encounter.
Crusaders inside centre Sonny Bill Williams limped off after 24 minutes with a hip injury, while Blues winger Rene Ranger, who had scored a brilliant individual try, left with a hamstring injury two minutes later.
The Crusaders had to fight back from an 8-0 deficit following an early Luke McAlister penalty and Ranger's try that was set up by full-back Jared Payne's incision into the line and Ranger's delicate grubber kick that danced along the sideline.
Fly half Daniel Carter got the Crusaders on the board with a penalty before openside flanker Matt Todd barged over after a speculative kick and chase by the Canterbury side had set up a ruck on the Blues line.
Carter added his second penalty to give the Crusaders a 13-8 lead and the momentum heading into the break before McAlister added his second penalty to ensure the Blues remained in the hunt at 13-11 at half-time.
The Blues made a schoolboy error straight after the second-half kick-off when no-one protected the ball at the back of the breakdown, allowing Read to swoop on it and feed to a flying Guildford who dived over in the corner.
The Auckland side, however, struck back when prop Charlie Faumuina, who had what appeared to be a legitimate try ruled out by the television official, crashed over shortly after to make it 18-16.
Both sides then blew certain tries, with Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean butchering two possibilities, while McAlister dropped the ball while over the line shortly afterwards.
Guildford, who had impressed with his work rate and a try-saving tackle, then sealed the win when he raced on to a brilliant cross kick from Carter to ensure the Crusaders victory.
"Both teams played bloody good rugby but it was quite heavy under foot and I'm happy the boys left it out there," Blues captain Keven Mealamu said.
"Disappointed we had a few mental lapses but the effort was right up there."
Crusaders: 23 (Matt Todd, Zac Guildford 2 tries; Dan Carter 2 pens, con)
Blues: 16 (Rene Ranger, Charlie Faumuina tries; Luke McAlister 2 pens)
- Reuters
Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, new-zealand
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