Cardiff City breeze past Doncaster Rovers as Lawlor wonder-goal lights up tie

Cardiff City returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as a stunning solo strike from Dylan Lawlor set them on course for a commanding victory over Doncaster Rovers in South Yorkshire.

A week on from their 12-match unbeaten run being ended at Plymouth Argyle, the Bluebirds produced a response befitting promotion contenders. They remain a point clear of Lincoln City at the top and 11 points clear of third place following the 4-0 triumph.

It was not all plain sailing early on. On a bobbly surface that hardly suited Cardiff’s passing game, Doncaster started brightly.

Brandon Hanlan looked set to race clean through inside 15 minutes after a loose pass was intercepted, only for Lawlor to produce a magnificent last-ditch block to deflect his shot over the bar.

Cardiff gradually settled and began to impose themselves. Perry Ng and Ollie Tanner found joy down the right, while Cian Ashford’s direct running caused problems.

The breakthrough arrived on 26 minutes and it was a thing of beauty.

Lawlor, stationed just inside the Doncaster half, lifted his head and clipped a sublime diagonal pass into the path of Alex Robertson.

The midfielder cushioned the dropping ball on his chest, shrugged off the tight angle and lashed a fierce effort beyond Thimothee Lo-Tutala. It was a sensational finish and gave Cardiff the control their growing dominance deserved.

Doncaster threatened sporadically before the break, with Harry Clifton dragging a half-volley wide, but Nathan Trott and his defence stood firm. Cardiff went in at half-time with a narrow but deserved advantage.

If Robertson’s goal was special, Lawlor’s after the restart was outrageous.

Two minutes into the second half, the centre-back collected possession deep inside his own half and