El-Hadji Diouf let his football do the talking after he came off the bench to inspire Bolton's FA Cup third-round win over Coca-Cola Championship leaders Ipswich at Portman Road.

The Senegal striker, on a season's loan from Liverpool, was involved in another alleged spitting incident following the game at Birmingham earlier this week.

However, after replacing the injured Kevin Davies from the bench after 27 minutes today, he had a hand in two of Bolton's goals as they eventually overpowered Joe Royle's brave side.

First he slipped in Stelios Giannakopoulos to set the visitors on their way after an hour, before releasing Henrik Pedersen to net a second five minutes later.

The Dane grabbed a third in the 69th minute, and although substitute Tommy Miller quickly pulled a goal back for the hosts, Sam Allardyce's side proved to have just that extra bit of experience to secure their safe passage through to the fourth round.

Bolton had an early chance when the ball broke to Giannakopoulos at the edge of the penalty area following a free-kick on the right. The Greek's low drive was too central though and keeper Kelvin Davis collected comfortably into his chest.

Then, after 17 minutes, Ipswich midfield Darren Currie sent a ball down the left channel, which Shefki Kuqi allowed to drop over his shoulder and into the box. After holding off Bruno N'Gotty, the striker fired in a low drive, which Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to block at his near post.

Bolton striker Davies, back in the side after injury, lasted less than half an hour before, clearly struggling with a recurrence of his hamstring problem, he was replaced by Diouf, who was greeted by jeers from the Portman Road faithful.

In the 30th minute, Kuqi, back to goal, collected a long punt up field on his chest, spun on the spot and sent a well-struck 25-yard effort goalwards. Jaaskelainen, however, was alert and parried the shot before making a clearance.

There was another good chance for Town when, with five minutes to go before half-time, Jim Magilton swept the ball out to Kuqi on the right side of the box. The big Finn took the ball on his chest and drove it low towards the bottom-left corner.

Jaaskelainen got down well to make the save, with Tal Ben Haim taking no chances and as he hacked the loose ball behind for a corner.

Bolton failed to clear the resulting set-piece, and when the ball was eventually swung back into the six-yard box, Darren Bent saw his goal-bound header hit Khalilou Fadiga, who was on the right-hand post.

Bolton should have been ahead just four minutes into the second half.

A slip by Fabian Wilnis in the centre-circle allowed Diouf to race clear. Davis came way off his line to close down the angle, and did well to force the striker wide to the right.

He eventually sent over a dangerous curling, centre across the six-yard box, which found its way through to Pedersen at the far post - only for Bolton's leading scorer to balloon the ball over the bar from no more than two yards.

Bolton finally made the breakthrough on the hour.

Giannakopoulos knocked a lobbed pass from Fadiga back to Diouf on the edge of the penalty box. He held the ball up, before sliding it inside two defenders for the Greek - played onside by Scott Mitchell in the centre - to drill a shot into the opposite corner with the outside of his right foot.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Diouf was again the provider as he charged forward into the Ipswich half, before releasing Pedersen, who timed his run perfectly to stay level with last man Wilnis.

This time, the Dane needed no second invitation, carrying the ball into the area and driving a low shot across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

Jaaskelainen did well to come out and block from Ian Westlake at his near post, but moments later Pedersen grabbed his second goal to seemingly kill off any hopes of a recovery.

Substitute Kevin Nolan tussled for possession with Mitchell, and the loose ball broke kindly for the Bolton man, who instinctively released Pedersen in down the left again. He strode forward, sidestepped Jason de Vos and rifled a left-footed shot into the net.

With 20 minutes to go, however, Ipswich proved their was life in this tie yet when, after good close control from Pablo Counago in the box, Miller swept the ball in from 12 yards.

De Vos almost inadvertently diverted a cross from Giannakopoulos into his own net in the 78th minute but, by then, the tie was over and Ipswich will no focus all their efforts on securing promotion.

Teams

Ipswich Davis, Mitchell, De Vos, Wilnis, Karbassiyoon (Richards 88), Magilton (Miller 58), Westlake, Horlock, Currie (Counago 58), Bent, Kuqi.

Subs Not Used: Price, Collins.

Goals: Miller 70.

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Ben Haim, N'Gotty, Hierro (Hunt 85), Gardner, Vaz Te (Nolan 59), Fadiga, Campo, Giannakopoulos, Davies (Diouf 25), Pedersen.

Subs Not Used: Poole, Laville.

Booked: Ben Haim.

Goals: Giannakopoulos 60, Pedersen 65, 68.

Att: 20,080

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).