Earnshaw ends the Cardiff drought

Swindon Town 0 Cardiff City 3

Robert Earnshaw scored his fourth goal of the season to help Cardiff to their first Second Division win in six games as they overcame Swindon 3-0 yesterday. The Welsh side dominated throughout and Earnshaw's clever finish from Paul Brayson's cross gave them a deserved lead in the 36th minute.

The Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Alexander then had to be alert to keep out efforts from Guiliano Grazioli and Alan Reeves. A minute after the restart winger Jason Bowen capitalised on a mistake by Bobby Howe to extend the visitors' lead and Bluebirds captain Graham Kavanagh sealed an emphatic win with a powerful header 10 minutes from time. Danny Invincible and Neil Ruddock both came close for Roy Evans's side but Cardiff never looked like relinquishing their lead.

Goals: Earnshaw (36) 0-1, Bowen (46) 0-2, Kavanagh (81) 0-3.

Swindon Town: Griemink, Gurney, Ruddock, Reeves, Duke, Steve Robinson, Hewlett, Howe, Paul Edwards, Invincible, Grazioli (Nathan Edwards 69). Substitutes not used: McKinney, Osei-Kuffour, Heywood, McAreavey.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Prior, Gabbidon, Simpkins (Legg 85), Kavanagh, Boland, Bowen, Brayson (Low 77), Thorne (Gordon 80), Earnshaw. Substitutes not used: Young, Hamilton.

Referee: C Foy (St Helens).

Sending off: Duke (61).

Bookings: Swindon: Duke, Ruddock, Hewlett, Gurney. Cardiff: Bowen.

Attendance: 8,373.