Rubin Colwill double at Exeter sees dominant Cardiff City tighten grip on promotion spot

Rubin Colwill struck twice as Cardiff City produced a commanding performance to thrash Exeter City 4-0 and strengthen their position in the League One promotion race.

Goals from Colwill, Alex Robertson and Callum Robinson secured a comprehensive victory in Devon which keeps Cardiff firmly on track for automatic promotion with just nine games remaining.

The result came after a week in which the Bluebirds had suffered a setback in the title race following defeat to Lincoln City and a frustrating draw at Barnsley.

But Brian Barry-Murphy’s side responded emphatically.

Lincoln had earlier continued their impressive form with another win, meaning Cardiff stay four points behind the leaders.

However, the afternoon still proved hugely positive for the Welsh side. Bolton Wanderers were held to a draw by Rotherham United, allowing Cardiff to extend their cushion over the play-off places.

They are now 11 points clear of third with nine matches to play, while fourth-placed Bradford City also lost, leaving them 12 points behind the Bluebirds.

It means Cardiff have tightened their grip on one of the two automatic promotion spots.

The visitors started brightly at St James Park and nearly took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Perry Ng crashed a header against the crossbar from an Alex Robertson corner.

The warning signs were there for Exeter and Cardiff soon made their pressure count.

On 31 minutes Colwill produced a moment of quality to break the deadlock. After being played in by Ollie Tanner, the Cardiff captain looked set to deliver a cross from a tight angle but instead rifled a stunning effort across goal and into the top corner.

Three minutes later he had his second.

This time the goal owed much to the pace of Cian Ashford, who