After a tentative opening 25 minutes it was the visitors who opened the scoring. Centre-back Dylan Lawlor was allowed to carry the ball well into Rovers' half unopposed and clipped the ball into Alex Robertson inside the area. He then held off the challenge of Owen Bailey and fired past Thimothee Lo-Tutala from a narrowing angle.
Prior to that Lawlor did excellently at the other end of the pitch, producing a terrific, last-gasp tackle to deflect over Brandon Hanlan's fierce close-range strike. Rovers' attempts to get back into the game were thwarted almost immediately after half-time when Lawlor again stole the show and doubled City's lead. The defender picked up possession in his own half and waltzed through a clutch of Rovers players before finishing smartly.
A third arrived just afterwards when Cian Ashford tapped in from close-range after Rubin Colwill picked him out from the right-hand side of the box.
That effectively killed the game off and rendered the last half-hour little more than an exhibition - although there was still time for substitute Callum Robinson to get in on the act and nab a fourth.
Here's how we rated the Rovers players:
5. Jack Senior 5
Showed plenty of heart and chipped in with tackles but struggled as Cardiff tried their luck down his flank ample times, especially second half. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD
6. Owen Bailey 5
Skipper couldn't stop the tide on a tough day at the office. Dropped into centre-half before the hour mark but the game was long gone by then. Photo: Craig Hawkhead / AHPIX LTD
7. Robbie Gotts 6
Excellent ratting and pressing. Harshly cautioned just on the stroke of half-time. One of few to come out with any plaudits from this encounter. Photo: Craig Hawkhead / AHPIX LTD
8. Harry Clifton 6
Was his usual, energetic self. Flashed a shot wide of goal first half although admittedly it came at him quickly, just inside the area. Kept on running and chasing. Photo: Howard Roe/AHPIX LTD