Transfer-listed Danny Dichio fired West Brom into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a stunning first-half hat-trick at The Hawthorns today.

The Baggies forward netted three times in the opening 19 minutes as the Premiership side heaped more misery on First Division strugglers Bradford.

Dichio's treble took his tally for the last seven games to six and offered Albion boss Gary Megson another reminder that he intends to fight for his place in the Albion line-up.

The striker remains on the transfer list due to his reluctance to move closer to the Midlands from his London home.

Bradford's only consolation came from a Mark Danks header.

The Baggies had gone into the game without record signing Lee Hughes due to a knee injury but his absence was hardly noticed as Dichio humbled the City defence with his quickfire treble.

Bradford had risked defender Robert Molenaar despite a swollen ankle but the gamble seemed a pointless one as early as the fifth minute when Dichio bagged his first.

The Bantams defence allowed Adam Chambers far too much space as the home side built an attack down the right flank and the wing-back's cross for Dichio was inch perfect.

Goalkeeper Aidan Davidson had no chance as the Baggies striker trotted in and headed firmly into the back of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.

The visitors had little time to regroup before the former Sunderland front man was on hand to bag his second.

This time the ball came from the left with Dichio doing just enough to divert Ronnie Wallwork's cross into the far corner with a glancing header.

By now the one-time Sampdoria frontman was rampant and he was soon celebrating again.

Jason Roberts this time was the provider with a powerful run up the centre of the field. The big forward first looked to shoot himself as he reached the edge of the box but was forced to check inside by Molenaar.

That allowed him time to spot Dichio's overlapping run and he wasted no time as he slipped a perfect ball into his path.

With just Davidson to beat, Dichio made no mistake and fired the ball wide of the keeper's despairing dive.

Albion were also n no mood to sit back and Roberts twice more troubled the City defence with strong runs.

Bradford were hardly in the game and drew ironic cheers from their own supporters when they mounted a rare attack and won a corner after 30 minutes.

The closest they went to goal in the first half were long-range shots from Claus Jorgensen and Lewis Emanuel which flew safely over Russell Hoult's crossbar.

It proved a brief respite as Jason Koumas jinked his way through the City defence and almost set up Roberts.

Roberts was also caught narrowly offside as he threatened to close in on goal again just before the break. Albion were in the mood for more goals as the game resumed and twice they won corners in the opening six minutes of the half.

Both were taken by Koumas but the visitors managed to escape danger.

Mark Bower was also called upon to make a timely interception as Chambers broke into City area.

It seemed a matter of time before Albion would bag a fourth and it almost came when Andy Johnson broke clear but screwed a 54th-minute shot wide.

Scott Dobie had an even better chance moments later but somehow managed to sidefoot wide from a Neil Clement cross with the goal at his mercy.

Dobie, a half-time replacement for Roberts, caused further alarm after 57 minutes when he skipped round the outrushing Davidson but Molenaar cleared.

Dichio also threatened to break through for a fourth but had his progress checked by an offside flag.

Dobie found himself onside after 67 minutes but Molenaar managed to get back and take the sting out of another shot.

The game was almost exclusively being dictated by Albion players at this point but Danks did get a rare opening after 72 minutes.

The substitute was almost caught by surprise however and screwed his shot well wide.

But it was Albion who were the more surprised soon after as Danks managed to sneak in for a 78th-minute consolation.

Jorgensen curled in a shot from the left and Danks was the first to react as the ball bounced off the bar and into his path.

It made little difference to the outcome as the Baggies played out time and left Dichio to claim the match ball.

Teams:

West Brom: Hoult, Moore, Gregan (Gilchrist 45), Sigurdsson, Adam Chambers, Koumas, Johnson, Wallwork (Balis 85), Clement, Dichio, Roberts (Dobie 45).

Subs Not Used: Jensen, James Chambers.

Booked: Roberts.

Goals: Dichio 4, 11, 19.

Bradford: Davison, Uhlenbeek, Molenaar, Bower, Jacobs, Francis, Standing, Jorgensen, Emanuel, Gray, Juanjo (Danks 56).

Subs Not Used: Beach, Forrest, Evans, Reid.

Booked: Molenaar.

Goals: Danks 79.

Att: 19,909

Ref: D Elleray (Middlesex).