Cardiff 7-1 Rushden

Gavin Gordon staked a claim for a place in the Cardiff first team by notching up five goals against Rushden & Diamonds in an LDV Vans Trophy rout.

Brian Talbot's men had no answer to a Bluebirds side containing 11 changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Wigan in their last outing.

Mark Bonner opened the scoring after six minutes and substitute Martyn Giles came on for Leyton Maxwell before netting the other in the 79th minute.

But the night belonged to Gordon who put in a superb performance to hit the target on 12, 32, 38, 69 and 80 minutes.

Diamonds new-boy Paul Hall beat the offside trap to grab a consolation goal in the 72nd minute for the well beaten Third Division side.

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Cardiff:Kendall, Thompson, Young, Hughes, Brazier, Hamilton, Bonner, Maxwell, Low, Gordon, Nugent. Subs: Jones, Giles, Collins, Fish, Anthony.

Rushden & D'monds: Turley, Underwood, Peters, Rodwell, Sambrook, Talbot, Mills, Hall, Hanlon, Lee, Folan. Subs: Burgess, Carey, Pennock, Setchell, Bell.

Referee: P Armstrong (Thatcham)