Cardiff 3-1 Stoke

Rob Earnshaw claimed his 18th and 19th goals of the season

Prolific striker Robert Earnshaw struck two superb goals to give Cardiff victory against struggling Stoke at Ninian Park.

The Wales international broke the deadlock in the first half with a sensational volleyed goal.

Kris Commons levelled for Stoke, but Earnshaw added his second after the break - his 19th goal of the season.

Cardiff sealed the points nine minutes from time when defender Danny Gabbidon rammed home from a corner.

Earnshaw latched on to John Robinson's header to lash home a breathtaking 25-yard volley to open the scoring, which left goalkeeper Ed de Goey with no chance.

Potters midfielder Commons levelled with a fine individual effort on the hour, skipping past two defenders before rifling home his first goal in 15 months.

But Earnshaw struck again in a breakaway move that will leave Stoke boss Tony Pulis fuming.

Commons' inswinging corner was headed clear by Graham Kavanagh to Robinson, who fed Earnshaw - and he made no mistake with only De Goey to beat.

Cardiff made sure of all three points late on when the visitors failed to deal with Kavanagh's corner, and impressive defender Gabbidon pounced for his first goal in 20 months.

It was tough luck on shot-stopper De Goey, who had kept Cardiff at bay with a series of fine saves throughout the game.

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Cardiff: Alexander, Croft, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Gray, Kavanagh, Bonner, Robinson, Earnshaw, Gordon. Subs: Prior, Langley, Boland, Campbell, Lee-Barrett.

Stoke: de Goey, Richardson, Thomas, Hill, Marcus Hall, Commons, Eustace, Andrews, Russell, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi. Subs: Cutler, Clarke, Asaba, Greenacre, Neal.

Referee: D Crick (Surrey).