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Cardiff goalscorer Omari Kellyman (right) is on loan from Chelsea Cardiff City took a significant stride towards securing an instant return to the Championship with a much-needed home win over League One promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers. Cardiff's wait for a home goal had stretched beyond five hours during a first half they completely dominated, only to be let down by their finishing again. But they ended their drought five minutes after the interval as Omari Kellyman – who had scored the Bluebirds' last goal at Cardiff City Stadium back in February – headed in from Joel Bagan's corner. The hosts doubled their lead two minutes later as Alex Robertson led a rapid counter-attack and set up Chris Willock to cut inside and finish neatly into the bottom far corner. Bolton did not manage a shot until the 64th minute – prompting ironic cheers from their travelling fans – and soon afterwards Sam Dalby's header flicked a post. Defeat keeps the Trotters fourth in League One, now 11 points adrift of second-place Cardiff and the automatic promotion positions, having played a game more than the Welsh side. Just a third win in nine matches for Cardiff strengthens their hold on second spot, taking them 10 points clear of third-place Bradford City before the Bantams host Stevenage, who are sixth, later on Saturday. Cardiff are playing in the third tier this season for the first time since 2003 Cardiff looked to be coasting towards promotion for much of this season, before a run of only two wins from their past eight games caused the nerves to kick in. Supporters' apprehension before this fixture was not helped by the fact the Bluebirds had lost two and drawn one of their previous home games against the three other top-five teams in League One. You would not have known it from the way Cardiff started against Bolton, flying out of the traps and putting the away side under intense pressure. There were five shots during a frantic opening 15 minutes, with Kellyman and Robertson drawing saves from visiting goalkeeper Jack Bonham. Robertson then somehow managed to hit the bar from point-blank range when it looked easier to score. Given the sheer volume of chances, it felt like a matter of time before Cardiff eventually broke through. And when they finally got that elusive goal, after five hours of waiting, they scored two in two minutes. Kellyman got the first, glancing in unmarked from Bagan's inswinging corner, and Willock applied a slick finishing touch to a Robertson-inspired break for the second. Ollie Tanner and Ryan Wintle came close to adding a third, while Bolton barely threatened beyond Dalby's header which brushed the post. With four games left, Steven Schumacher's men look destined to finish in the play-off spots. As for Cardiff, they have five matches remaining to seal automatic promotion. With their 10-point advantage, it should be a formality from here. This video can not be played Schumacher: 'We lacked any sort of belief' Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 11th April 2026 at 17: 18 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Brian Barry-Murphy Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Steven Schumacher Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Brian Barry-Murphy Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Steven Schumacher Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 League One All competitions All competitions All competitions Cardiff City have won each of their last two home league games against Bolton Wanderers and will be looking to win three in succession for just the second time after a three-match streak between 1969 and 1973. After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 back in October last year, Bolton Wanderers will be looking to claim just a second league double over Cardiff City this century after the 2014-15 season. Cardiff have failed to score in each of their last three home league games (D1 L2) and will be looking to go four without scoring on home soil in the third tier for the first time in club history.   Bolton have won just one of their last eight league games against sides from Wales (D2 L5), a run which has seen the Trotters fail to score on seven separate occasions.   Match ends, Cardiff City 2, Bolton Wanderers 0. Second Half ends, Cardiff City 2, Bolton Wanderers 0. David Turnbull (Cardiff City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Tobias Ritchie (Bolton Wanderers). Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Jordi Osei-Tutu (Bolton Wanderers). Foul by Calum Scanlon (Cardiff City). Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Handball by Yousef Salech (Cardiff City). Foul by Ollie Tanner (Cardiff City). Jack Bonham (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Cardiff City. Conceded by Max Conway. Attempt blocked. Ryan Wintle (Cardiff City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull. Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. Joel Colwill (Cardiff City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Sam Dalby (Bolton Wanderers). Attempt blocked. Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tobias Ritchie. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City). Substitution, Cardiff City. Yousef Salech replaces Omari Kellyman. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.