Cardiff City 4-3 Doncaster Rovers: Joel Bagan smashes dramatic late winner in breathless seven-goal thriller

Cardiff City produced a scarcely-believable late twist to edge a seven-goal thriller against Doncaster Rovers, with Joel Bagan slamming home a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time to cap a breathless afternoon at Cardiff City Stadium.

In a contest that swung wildly from end to end, Brian Barry-Murphy’s side showed both their attacking swagger and defensive fragility, but ultimately found a way to extend their winning run thanks to one final surge in the ninth minute of added time.

The tone was set early as Doncaster, far from overawed by the league leaders, pressed aggressively and threatened first. Harry Clifton dragged a good chance wide after 10 minutes before the visitors made their pressure count on 15 minutes. Luke Molyneux’s cross was met by Owen Bailey, whose scuffed effort deflected off Will Fish and wrong-footed Nathan Trott to put Rovers ahead.

Cardiff responded with intent and flair. Ryan Wintle went close with a half-cross, half-shot before the equaliser arrived on 25 minutes, sparked by the irrepressible Isaak Davies. The winger burst down the left, shrugged off his marker and picked out Omari Kellyman on the edge of the box. Kellyman’s excellent first touch set up a shot that took a deflection and looped beyond Thimothee Lo-Tutala.

The Bluebirds were now in full flow and went ahead nine minutes later courtesy of a stunning solo effort from Cian Ashford. Picking up the ball some 30 yards from goal, the academy graduate danced past two defenders, stumbled under pressure, but still had the presence of mind to poke a low effort past the goalkeeper and into the corner.

Just when Cardiff looked in control, Doncaster struck again before the break. Charlie Crew threaded a superb pass between Calum Chambers and Fish,