Cardiff 3-0 Doncaster

Cardiff goal-scorers Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd celebrate

Cardiff City hit three goals for the second time in a week to strengthen their Championship play-off bid with a 3-0 win over in-form Doncaster Rovers.

Michael Chopra scored his third since returning to Cardiff, slotting Gavin Rae's pass into the corner before Jay Bothroyd volleyed home the second.

Eddie Johnson's first Cardiff goal on the hour sealed a comfortable and deserved win with a 20-yard strike.

Cardiff, who have tasted just one loss in 16 league games, move up to fourth.

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones:
"For well over an hour we were superb and for the last 15 minutes we closed the game out and kept the clean sheet - it was a good performance all round.

"We started with a great tempo and Sean O'Driscoll, Doncaster's manager, will not be happy with Jay Bothroyd's goal because they backed off him from the free-kick but it was a superb finish.

"They are a decent side and keep the ball well and we've learned that when we're in a winning position we must shut the game out.

"It is not the prettiest sometimes but I'd rather not give anyone hope, we had to be professional and ruthless."

Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll:

"That was the worst performance by the team not just for this season but last season as well.

"We didn't start well and in all areas we were second best."

Cardiff: Konstantopoulos, Gyepes, Roger Johnson, Kennedy (Comminges 26), Blake, Rae, Whittingham, Parry, Ledley, Bothroyd (Eddie Johnson 36), Chopra (McCormack 63).
Subs Not Used: Owusu-Abeyie, Scimeca.

Goals: Chopra 10, Bothroyd 29, Eddie Johnson 60.

Doncaster: Sullivan, Chambers, Mills, Hird, Roberts, Wellens, Stock (Wilson 34), Woods, Spicer, Coppinger (Hayter 62), Price (Shiels 62).
Subs Not Used: Letheren, Lockwood.

Booked: Mills.

Att: 17,821

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).