Charlton Athletic 4 Rochdale 1

Over the years Charlton have had a dismal cup record and have reached the fifth round only once in eight attempts, but they safely gained their passage into this seasons fourth round of the competition in what turned out to be a comfortable victory despite a gallant performance by the Lancashire side.

After two successive Premiership defeats Charlton manager Alan Curbishley made three changes to his side, bringing in Jason Euell, Francis Jeffers and Bryan Hughes and it was Jeffers and Hughes, making their first starts since September, who combined to produce Charlton's opening goal on 19 minutes.

Jeffers was sent clear on the right and his low cross was slid into the net at the far post by Hughes.

Jeffers himself then hit the post for the home side before defender Jonathan Fortune volleyed home Charlton's second goal on 44 minutes after Matt Holland's corner had been headed on by Jonatan Johansson.

But Rochdale, cheered on by 2,000 supporters who had made the trip to London, produced some excellent moves of their own with Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely having to make good saves to deny Grant Holt and Leo Bertos.

Danny Murphy replaced the unsettled Euell at the start of the second half and Dale pulled a goal back through Holt when he got behind the Charlton defence, shrugged off a challenge and fired home his 18th goal of the season with Kiely well beaten.

But the Premiership side upped their game and scored two more goals to put the match beyond the reach of the League Two minnows.

Hughes scored his second of the match with a looping header from Jerome Thomas' cross and Murphy then curled a direct free-kick into the top corner of the Rochdale net to complete the scoring.