Rubin Colwill struck twice in three first-half minutes as Cardiff City won 4-0 at Exeter City in their bid for for automatic promotion from League One.
The hosts barely threatened the Bluebirds as they continue to hover dangerously close to the relegation zone at the other end of the table.
Colwill lashed in his opener from a standing start and headed in his second - a rare such effort for him - as Brian Barry-Murphy's side took firm control at St James' Park.
Alex Robertson added the third, finishing a team move from deep with a superb finish from outside the box, his last contribution before making way for David Turnbull in the 71st minute.
Sonny Cox rattled the woodwork for the hosts in a rare moment of jeopardy for Cardiff.
But there was no mistake at the other end as Callum Robinson guided in his effort from close range.
It was a welcome return to winning ways for Cardiff after losing at home against leaders Lincoln City last weekend and drawing at Barnsley in midweek.
But for interim Exeter City boss Matt Taylor it was perhaps another reminder of the reasons for his pre-match call to his players to shake off their "soft" tag.
The encounter was played at walking pace during some periods of the second half with Cardiff in control and the hosts largely unable to make inroads.
Barry-Murphy's men ended the day four points adrift of Lincoln and 11 points clear of third-place Bolton Wanderers while the Grecians dropped two spots to 18th and remain four points above the relegation zone.
Cardiff City: Trott, Bagan (Scanlon 89’), Osho, Lawlor, Ng, Wintle, Robertson (Turnbull 71’), R. Colwill (J. Colwill 75’), Tanner (Willock 71’), Ashford, Kellyman (Robinson 75’). Subs: Fish, Scanlon, Chambers.
