Cardiff went top of the Championship with a fine attacking display at Scunthorpe sparked by two early goals.
Jay Bothroyd hit the first of his two goals on two minutes, slamming home after Michael Chopra's shot was saved.
Chopra added a second after Bothroyd and Craig Bellamy combined, before Bothroyd turned home a free-kick.
Kevin McDonald hit back for Scunthorpe from 18 yards before Dany N'Guessan converted Jon Forte's cross, but Seyi Olofinjana settled Cardiff nerves.
Championship top scorer Bothroyd raised his goal tally for the season to 15 in 16 games, handing Fabio Capello a timely reminder of his quality just hours before the England coach names his final squad for Wednesday's friendly against France.
Bothroyd, this week named in Capello's provisional party for the game at Wembley Stadium, is gunning for his first senior international call-up.
Cardiff's first-half dominance was unquestionable and the Iron were handed a mountain to climb early on as the Bluebirds, boosted by the return of previously rested Bellamy, broke the deadlock with their quickest goal of the season.
Chopra cut inside on the right and his shot was parried by Joe Murphy, but only straight into the path of former Wolves and Coventry marksman Bothroyd, who converted easily.
The visitors were rampant inside the opening stages, with Kevin McNaughton and Bothroyd both going close from distance.
Jones relief after Scunthorpe scare
And it was the in-form 6ft 3in striker who returned the favour for Chopra to put Cardiff two goals up, firing a low cross-shot across goal which left the former Sunderland marksman with a simple tap-in.
A shell-shocked Scunthorpe finally got some kind of foothold in the game but Cardiff were always looking more dangerous in the final third, and it was no real surprise when they added to their tally in the 34th minute.
Bellamy this time claimed the assist, whipping over a free-kick which Bothroyd headed downward and into the net from 12 yards.
On-loan West Ham striker Freddie Sears dragged his effort wide in response, but Scunthorpe did pull one back just before the break courtesy of McDonald's well-taken finish.
Iron keeper Murphy produced a superb double save to deny Bothroyd his hat-trick shortly after the restart when it looked as though the striker would be walking away with the match ball.
Despite that, the hosts were putting up a much better showing than their first-half display and Tom Heaton was called into action to deny Forte as Ian Baraclough's men threw everything forward.
N'Guessan deservedly pulled them within touching distance in the 73rd minute with a powerful header, but any hope of an unlikely point was short-lived as Olofinjana diverted Jason Koumas' goal-bound effort home.
The defeat extended Scunthorpe's unwanted home record to one win in nine league games.
But Cardiff - after a home derby loss to Swansea and a draw at Reading in their last two games - can look proudly down on the rest of the Championship thanks to Nottingham Forest holding previous leaders Queens Park Rangers to a draw on Saturday.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Npower Championship
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Scunthorpe
2-4
Cardiff
FT
(HT 1-3)
McDonald 45
N'Guessan 73
Bothroyd 2
Chopra 9
Bothroyd 34
Olofinjana 79
Scunthorpe
01 Murphy
05 Jones (McNulty 89)
06 Byrne
12 Raynes
21 Nolan
07 Woolford (Dagnall 72)
08 O'Connor
31 McDonald
10 Sears (Grant 82)
14 Forte
20 N'Guessan
Substitutes
33 Warner,
03 McNulty,
28 McClenahan,
16 Wright,
09 Dagnall,
17 Grant,
24 Godden
Cardiff
22 Heaton
02 McNaughton yellow card
03 Naylor (Matthews 60)
05 Hudson
07 Whittingham
11 Burke (Koumas 13)
20 Olofinjana
23 Blake (Gyepes 60)
08 Chopra
09 Bothroyd
39 Bellamy
Substitutes
01 Marshall,
06 Gyepes,
10 McPhail,
19 Koumas,
21 Drinkwater,
27 Matthews,
17 Keogh
Ref: IldertonAtt: 5,333
SCUNTHORPE
CARDIFF
Possession
Scunthorpe47%
Cardiff53%
Attempts on target
Scunthorpe11
Cardiff9
Attempts off target
Scunthorpe6
Cardiff5
Corners
Scunthorpe10
Cardiff11
Fouls
Scunthorpe6
Cardiff6
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+4:08 The match has reached full-time.
90:00+3:07 The ball is delivered by Michael O'Connor, Seyi Olofinjana manages to make a clearance.
90:00+2:23 Foul by Jay Bothroyd on Cliff Byrne, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Joe Murphy.
90:00+1:47 Chris Dagnall is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Tom Heaton.
90:00+1:38 Bobby Grant delivers the ball, clearance by Gabor Gyepes.
89:21 Jim McNulty delivers the ball. The official flags Bobby Grant offside. Tom Heaton takes the indirect free kick.
88:00 Substitution Rob Jones leaves the field to be replaced by Jim McNulty.
88:00 Shot from just outside the area by Bobby Grant misses to the right of the target.
86:44 Shot by Michael O'Connor from 30 yards. Save by Tom Heaton. Bobby Grant takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Unfair challenge on Jay Bothroyd by Rob Jones results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Tom Heaton.
86:17 Effort on goal by Chris Dagnall from 20 yards. Peter Whittingham gets a block in.
85:39 The ball is crossed by Bobby Grant, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.
83:45 Craig Bellamy sends in a cross, save by Joe Murphy.
82:34 Shot by Bobby Grant from 18 yards. Tom Heaton makes a save. Inswinging corner taken by Michael O'Connor from the left by-line, Shot by Cliff Byrne from 12 yards. Gabor Gyepes gets a block in. Corner from left by-line taken by Michael O'Connor.
81:58 Substitution Bobby Grant is brought on as a substitute for Freddie Sears.
81:12 The ball is crossed by Kevin McDonald.
78:23 The assist for the goal came from Jason Koumas.
78:23 GOAL - Seyi Olofinjana:Scunthorpe 2 - 4 Cardiff Seyi Olofinjana scores a goal from just outside the box low into the middle of the goal. Scunthorpe 2-4 Cardiff.
77:42 The ball is crossed by Craig Bellamy, clearance made by Cliff Byrne. Corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy to the near post, Michael Raynes manages to make a clearance.
76:23 Foul by Rob Jones on Jay Bothroyd, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed by Peter Whittingham, clearance by Michael Raynes. Craig Bellamy takes the inswinging corner, Michael O'Connor makes a clearance.
75:24 Dany N'Guessan has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
75:18 Kevin McDonald delivers the ball.
73:55 Jonathan Forte crosses the ball, clearance by Kevin McNaughton.
73:40 The ball is swung over by Jonathan Forte, clearance by Gabor Gyepes.
72:44 The assist for the goal came from Jonathan Forte.
72:44 GOAL - Dany N'Guessan:Scunthorpe 2 - 3 Cardiff Dany N'Guessan grabs a headed goal from close in. Scunthorpe 2-3 Cardiff.
71:23 Substitution Chris Dagnall replaces Martyn Woolford.
71:23 Michael O'Connor produces a left-footed shot from long range that goes harmlessly over the bar.
70:20 Michael O'Connor crosses the ball, Shot from 12 yards by Jonathan Forte. Tom Heaton makes a save. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Michael O'Connor played to the near post, clearance made by Mark Hudson.
67:54 The ball is swung over by Freddie Sears, Seyi Olofinjana manages to make a clearance.
67:09 Craig Bellamy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Eddie Nolan. Joe Murphy takes the free kick.
66:51 A cross is delivered by Michael O'Connor, Rob Jones takes a shot. Save made by Tom Heaton.
66:17 Michael O'Connor takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Jay Bothroyd.
65:23 The ball is crossed by Freddie Sears, clearance made by Mark Hudson.
63:46 Rob Jones challenges Jay Bothroyd unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mark Hudson takes the direct free kick.
62:55 The ball is sent over by Michael Chopra, Joe Murphy makes a save.
62:19 Shot from 18 yards from Dany N'Guessan. Save made by Tom Heaton.
62:01 A cross is delivered by Jason Koumas.
60:57 Corner taken by Craig Bellamy, clearance made by Cliff Byrne.
60:45 Cliff Byrne sends in a cross, clearance made by Gabor Gyepes.
59:54 Substitution Adam Matthews on for Lee Naylor.
59:26 Substitution Darcy Blake goes off and Gabor Gyepes comes on.
59:26 The official flags Craig Bellamy offside. Joe Murphy restarts play with the free kick.
57:45 Centre by Eddie Nolan, clearance by Jason Koumas. Michael O'Connor takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Rob Jones takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton.
57:17 Dany N'Guessan delivers the ball, clearance made by Darcy Blake.
55:00 Michael O'Connor crosses the ball.
54:18 Craig Bellamy sends in a cross, Jay Bothroyd takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy. Shot by Jay Bothroyd. Save made by Joe Murphy.
53:23 Craig Bellamy decides to take a short corner.
48:49 Dany N'Guessan sends in a cross.
47:01 Shot from 20 yards from Kevin McDonald. Tom Heaton makes a save.
45:56 The ball is sent over by Dany N'Guessan, Lee Naylor manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Michael O'Connor.
45:49 The ball is swung over by Dany N'Guessan, Darcy Blake makes a clearance.
45:01 The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:04 The ref blows to end the first period.
45:00+0:32 Free kick crossed right-footed by Michael O'Connor, Lee Naylor manages to make a clearance. Michael O'Connor takes the outswinging corner, Header from deep inside the area by Michael Raynes goes over the bar.
45:00+0:32 Booking Kevin McNaughton goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
45:00+0:25 Martyn Woolford fouled by Kevin McNaughton, the ref awards a free kick.
44:21 Assist by Freddie Sears.
44:21 GOAL - Kevin McDonald:Scunthorpe 1 - 3 Cardiff Goal scored by Kevin McDonald from just outside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Scunthorpe 1-3 Cardiff.
44:21 The ball is sent over by Freddie Sears,
42:10 Dany N'Guessan crosses the ball.
38:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Dany N'Guessan by Seyi Olofinjana. Free kick crossed right-footed by Michael O'Connor from right wing, Lee Naylor manages to make a clearance.
36:45 Jonathan Forte sends in a cross, Effort from inside the area by Freddie Sears misses to the left of the target.
36:24 Jay Bothroyd crosses the ball.
35:07 Centre by Michael Chopra, blocked by Eddie Nolan. Corner taken by Peter Whittingham from the right by-line, Rob Jones makes a clearance.
33:42 The assist for the goal came from Craig Bellamy.
33:42 GOAL - Jay Bothroyd:Scunthorpe 0 - 3 Cardiff Jay Bothroyd grabs a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Scunthorpe 0-3 Cardiff.
33:07 Cliff Byrne concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Bellamy. The ball is swung over by Craig Bellamy,
31:03 Dany N'Guessan crosses the ball, save by Tom Heaton.
30:07 Cliff Byrne sends in a cross, save by Tom Heaton.
28:57 Inswinging corner taken by Craig Bellamy from the left by-line, Headed effort from inside the box by Seyi Olofinjana misses to the right of the target.
28:51 Craig Bellamy crosses the ball, clearance made by Michael Raynes.
28:08 Lee Naylor challenges Dany N'Guessan unfairly and gives away a free kick. The ball is crossed by Cliff Byrne, mishit left-footed shot by Freddie Sears. Save made by Tom Heaton.
27:27 Kevin McDonald takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.
26:34 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jay Bothroyd on Rob Jones. Joe Murphy takes the direct free kick.
26:01 Shot by Craig Bellamy. Save by Joe Murphy.
25:26 The ball is delivered by Jason Koumas, blocked by Eddie Nolan. Corner from the right by-line taken by Peter Whittingham, clearance made by Rob Jones.
23:40 Unfair challenge on Jay Bothroyd by Michael Raynes results in a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Craig Bellamy from the free kick.
22:13 Centre by Freddie Sears, Darcy Blake manages to make a clearance.
21:17 The ball is crossed by Lee Naylor, clearance made by Rob Jones.
19:44 Martyn Woolford crosses the ball, clearance by Lee Naylor. Corner taken by Michael O'Connor, Jay Bothroyd makes a clearance.
11:36 Michael Raynes makes a clearance. Craig Bellamy takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Michael O'Connor.
11:36 Substitution Jason Koumas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Chris Burke.
11:36 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy from the left by-line to the near post,
10:41 Kevin McNaughton produces a cross, Effort on goal by Jay Bothroyd from 18 yards. Blocked by Rob Jones.
9:35 The ball is crossed by Dany N'Guessan.
8:28 The assist for the goal came from Jay Bothroyd.
8:28 GOAL - Michael Chopra:Scunthorpe 0 - 2 Cardiff Michael Chopra gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Scunthorpe 0-2 Cardiff.
8:21 The ball is crossed by Jay Bothroyd,
6:27 Effort from just outside the box by Jay Bothroyd goes over the bar.
4:48 Effort from 12 yards by Craig Bellamy. Michael Raynes gets a block in.
4:27 Craig Bellamy delivers the ball, clearance by Cliff Byrne. Craig Bellamy decides to take the corner short.
3:41 Corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy to the near post, Michael O'Connor manages to make a clearance.
3:34 Chris Burke produces a cross, clearance made by Cliff Byrne.
3:01 Michael O'Connor challenges Craig Bellamy unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Lee Naylor.
2:16 Kevin McNaughton has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.
1:15 GOAL - Jay Bothroyd:Scunthorpe 0 - 1 Cardiff Jay Bothroyd finds the net with a goal from close range to the bottom right corner of the goal. Scunthorpe 0-1 Cardiff.
0:54 Michael Chopra takes a shot. Save by Joe Murphy.
0:00 The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.
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