By Sam Hill
Joel Bagan’s dramatic 98th-minute winner sparked wild celebrations at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Bluebirds edged a thrilling 4-3 victory over Doncaster Rovers to extend their winning run to five consecutive League One matches.
Bagan struck in the ninth minute of time added on, following up from a tight angle after Cian Ashford’s initial effort had been saved.
It was reward for Cardiff’s courage in pushing for a winner with the scores locked at 3-3 in a game that twisted and turned almost from start to finish.
The result keeps Brian Barry-Murphy’s side top of the table, four points clear, after a contest packed with momentum swings and late drama.
Doncaster made a bright start, with Grant McCann’s switch to a 3-1-4-2 catching Cardiff cold early on. Luke Molyneux caused persistent problems down the right, and the visitors’ pressure was rewarded inside 15 minutes when captain Owen Bailey swept home from close range following a neat cut-back.
Bailey went close to doubling the lead soon after as Cardiff were forced into a series of last-ditch blocks before gradually growing into the contest. The equaliser arrived midway through the first half when Isaak Davies battled down the left and cut back to Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman, whose deflected effort found the net from 12 yards.
Cardiff then turned the game on its head as Ashford showed impressive strength and close control to wriggle clear and squeeze a finish past Thimothee Lo-Tutala to make it 2-1.
However, Doncaster refused to go away and struck just before the break, with Brandon Hanlan finishing excellently after City academy product Charlie Crew split the defence to level the scores.
Barry-Murphy made a triple substitution at half-time, and the changes had an immediate impact. Just four minutes after the restart, Yousef Salech slid home his 10th league goal of the season following a dangerous Ryan Wintle delivery to restore Cardiff’s lead.
The hosts dominated large spells of the second half, with Lo-Tutala producing several saves to keep Doncaster in the contest. That resilience paid off in the 72nd minute when captain Bailey headed down a set piece and substitute Harry Clifton reacted quickest to fire home and make it 3-3.
Clifton almost completed the turnaround moments later but blazed over, while Nathan Trott pulled off a superb stop to deny a deflected strike from Jordan Gibson as the game entered a chaotic ending.
With seven minutes of added time indicated, Cardiff continued to push for a winner and were rewarded when Ashford’s low left-footed effort was parried into the path of Bagan, who tapped in to seal a breathless victory.
The endeavour to keep attacking proved decisive as Cardiff secured another vital three points at the summit of League One, while Doncaster were left heartbroken after a spirited display.
The defeat for McCann’s side leaves them now just outside of the relegation zone in 20th place after results went against them this afternoon.
They now welcome fellow relegation rival Plymouth Argyle next Saturday in a huge clash at the Eco-Power stadium.
Meanwhile, The Bluebirds are riding the wave of five consecutive victories in Sky Bet League 1 and will be dreaming of a giant-killing in their last 8 clash of the Carabao Cup, as they welcome the Club World Cup champions Chelsea on Tuesday.