Two-goal Jason Roberts paid back another slice of the £1.4million transfer fee as his super show kept Wigan Athletic firmly in line for a Nationwide Division One play-off place.
The former West Brom hitman struck either side of half-time to shoot Wigan into fourth place in the first division against a weakened Cardiff City outfit, whose own play-offs hope were all but extinguished.
Fellow striker Nathan Ellington scored the other goal to reinforce the lethal partnership of he and Roberts as the home side coasted to victory against a Bluebirds side that could muster just two efforts on target in the entire 90 minutes.
Roberts and Ellington combined for the former to lash home at the near post nine minutes before the interval to break the deadlock.
Then after 54 minutes the duo struck again as Roberts saw his shot blocked by Cardiff keeper Martyn Margetson before Jimmy Bullard's follow-up effort was parried into the path of Ellington, who netted with ease.
Roberts added the third four minutes later with a clinical finish from Ellington's flick and as Cardiff wilted only a super save Margetson denied Roberts a deserved hat-trick.
Alan Mahon also went close late on as Paul Jewell's side re-ignited their challenge for a top-six finish and a crack at sealing a place in the Premiership for next season.