Wycombe 0 Cardiff 4

Last updated : 08 April 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Cardiff City got their automatic promotion hopes back on track as they thrashed mid-table Wycombe Wanderers 4-0 at Adams Park.

The Bluebirds made the best possible start when they took the lead after just five minutes.

Peter Thorne headed Rob Earnshaw's cross past Frank Talia to stun the Chairboys faithful.

Wycombe responded well and Jonny Dixon smashed a fine shot against the crossbar soon after but Cardiff continued to hold the upper hand until the interval.

The Bluebirds, who had lost 2-1 at home to QPR on Saturday to put a serious dent in their promotion bid, moved to within one point of second-placed Crewe with a stunning second-half display.

Michael Simpson's error allowed Alan Mahon to add a second goal with a 68th minute drive before the Wycombe player almost atoned for his mistake by firing a shot against a post.

However, Lennie Lawrence's side sealed a comfortable win with two goals in the last nine minutes.

Firstly Thorne scored his 13th goal of the season when he converted Gareth Ainsworth's 81st minute cross, before Andy Legg added a last-gasp fourth with a shot from the edge of the area.