CHERRIES delivered a first-half masterclass to progress to the fourth round of the League Cup for the first time in 51 years and pile on the misery for managerless Cardiff.

A brace from Dan Gosling and a goal from Charlie Daniels saw the visitors go 3-0 up inside the opening 33 minutes.

And Eddie Howe’s men comfortably held that advantage until the final whistle as they made it a dream first trip to the Cardiff City Stadium.

Yet to concede a goal in the League Cup this season, Cherries now have the chance to break new ground when the fourth round takes place on the week commencing October 27. The draw will be made following the remaining third-round ties tomorrow night.

Boss Howe made seven changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Watford in the Championship on Saturday, with Tommy Elphick one of those retained after Steve Cook sustained a tight groin in the warm-up.

Midfielders Gosling and Shaun MacDonald passed late fitness tests to start and Tokelo Rantie was also deemed fit as he took his place on the bench.

Eighteen-year-old Baily Cargill returned at the heart of the defence to make his third appearance in as many League Cup ties this term, but the cup-tied Andrew Surman missed out.

In a sparsely-filled arena, Cherries loan keeper Artur Boruc settled nerves early on as he gobbled up John Brayford’s cross from the right.

Marc Pugh fashioned Cherries’ first effort when he spun and brought a diving save out of stopper Simon Moore from the edge of the box.

Moments later, the visitors took the lead. Gosling embarked on a solo run and the former Newcastle man then applied a fine finish that skimmed into the right corner – his third goal in as many rounds.

There was a sense that another goal was coming and Pitman saw his shot blocked before Daniels doubled the lead in the 22nd minute.

Pugh had a hand in a smooth move and eventually Eunan O’Kane’s pass arrived at the feet of Daniels, who slotted home from a narrow angle.

That only seemed to make the hosts more edgy and Moore flapped at a corner under pressure before he clawed desperately over the bar.

Cardiff had their first effort of note just short of the half hour, when frontman Nicky Maynard stabbed at a loose ball in the area, but Boruc was able to gather.

The game was effectively put beyond the home side in the 33rd minute and again Pugh was heavily involved. City were torn apart by Cherries’ slick passing and after Moore denied Brett Pitman, the ball fell to Gosling and he slotted home his second of the night.

Moments before the break, Boruc was forced to come to the visitors’ aid when Maynard launched himself at a loose ball, and then Macheda lashed well over on the follow-up.

Boruc distinguished himself once again before the break when a deep corner was met by Aron Gunnarsson and the former Celtic stopper scrambled across goal to paw off the line.

The Bluebirds began the second period in positive fashion and they thought they had pulled a goal back when Macheda powerfully headed into the net following Declan John’s delivery from the left.

However, the former Birmingham loanee was denied by the flag of assistant referee Andrew Fox.

Cherries were understandably keen to slow the game down to stamp out the moderate momentum City had gained.

This proved an effective tactic and Howe’s men created a couple of chances themselves, with Junior Stanislas’s 25-yard free-kick taking a flick off the wall before bouncing harmlessly behind, before Pugh saw his drive deflect away for a corner.

Cardiff wilted as the second period went on and a hopeful long-range drive from Adam Le Fondre was all they could muster in the middle part of the half, the strike flying high and wide.

Howe brought on Harry Arter with 15 minutes remaining and perhaps keen to drill home a similar effort to his wonder-strike against Watford, the midfielder soon tried his luck.

A corner was worked to the former Woking man via Adam Smith and O’Kane but the eventual shot was well clear of Moore’s crossbar.

Cherries so nearly capped their victory with another terrific goal. Pugh streamed forward and although he lost possession, the ball dropped to O’Kane who played in Arter. The substitute smashed his effort against the bar and it bounced back out off the goalline, before Pitman fired off-target.

The Cardiff goal was leading a charmed life and both Pitman and Stanislas were both denied in a frantic melee in the final 10 minutes. However, a combination of Cardiff bodies and Moore came to City’s rescue.

A Pitman free-kick only found traffic and a speculative effort from Le Fondre at the other end suffered the same fate.

Rantie drilled a half-volley into the empty stand before Macheda went close for the home side, but 3-0 was how it stayed.

MATCH FACTS

Cherries: Boruc; Smith (Francis, 86), Elphick, Cargill, Daniels; Stanislas (Rantie, 87), Gosling, O'Kane, MacDonald (Arter, 75), Pugh; Pitman.

Unused subs: McCarthy, Ritchie, Wilson, Camp (g/k).

Bluebirds: Moore; Brayford, Cala, Gabbidon, John; Le Fondre, Gunnarsson, Adeyemi, Bo Kyung (Daehli, 37); Guerra (Macheda, 37), Maynard (Pilkington, 81).

Unused subs: James, Burgstaller, Wolff Eikrem, Marshall (g/k).

Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 6,491.