Bolton Wanderers subjected Stockport County to their 11th successive defeat as they booked safe passage to the FA Cup fourth round.

A largely second-string Bolton side were already 2-0 up through Gudni Bergsson and a Karim Fradin own goal when star striker Michael Ricketts was introduced.

Bolton's leading scorer immediately set up Henrik Pedersen for the third and scored a spectacular fourth, ensuring Jon Daly's last-minute penalty was scant consolation for Stockport.

In a fractious opening between these local rivals referee Uriah Rennie was twice forced to take the heat out of proceedings.

But the first chance of the game fell to Bolton striker Jermaine Johnson whose pace troubled Stockport.

With just two minutes gone he latched onto a well-weighted through-ball from midfielder Nicky Southall but scuffed his effort on the turn.

Johnson continued to torment the Stockport back four and soon after forced Colin Woodthorpe into conceding a corner with a neat back-heel in the box.

Bolton pursued the tactics of long ball over the top, hoping Johnson's pace would take them clear, and it was the Jamaican international's nimbleness which almost brought an opening.

A neat turn and cross on the right was put just wide by the charging Pedersen.

Bo Hansen found David Norris unmarked at the far post but Andy Dibble pulled off the first of three excellent saves.

But from the corner Bergsson rose to nod Bolton ahead.

Bolton made it two when Norris, just inside the area, fired in a shot which looped over Dibble's head off the foot of Fradin.

Following the departure of Shefki Kuqi to Sheffield Wednesday, Scott Taylor is Stockport's leading scorer and almost made an immediate impact after coming on at half-time with a dangerous cross which was cleared.

Racing down the left he crossed square but Jarni Viander managed to get there first.

Bolton's Rod Wallace, collecting another long forward ball, cut inside from the right but his left-foot effort swerved well wide.

Three half-time changes gave Stockport more of a cutting edge and Daly almost managed to take advantage of a poor defensive header from Kevin Nolan. Again Viander was on hand to smother the danger.

The frenetic pace of the first half took its toll as Bolton slowed proceedings, restricting Stockport to quick breaks.

Once again Daly did not quite have the pace to meet a through-ball in the box.

Bolton's leading scorer Ricketts was introduced with 20 minutes remaining and made an immediate impact.

Receiving the ball from Nolan on the left Ricketts whipped in the cross to the near post where Pedersen made it three.

With five minutes remaining Ricketts worked himself space on the right hand side of the box and unleashed a marvellous curling effort past Dibble.

With Bolton showboating, there was still time for Stockport to net a consolation.

Nolan missed a harmless cross and when the ball bobbled to strike his arm referee Rennie had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Viander guessed right in the Bolton goal but Daly's finish beat his outstretched arm in the bottom corner.

Teams:

Stockport: Dibble, Gibb, Clare, Palmer, Woodthorpe, Briggs, Lescott, Fradin (Williams 45), Ellison (Taylor 45), Welsh (Helin 45), Daley.

Subs Not Used: Hancock, Turner.

Booked: Fradin.

Goals: Daley 90 pen.

Bolton: Viander, Southall, Bergsson (Nolan 45), Barness, Gardner, Johnson, Norris (Taylor 75), Farrelly, Hansen, Wallace (Ricketts 71), Pedersen.

Subs Not Used: Poole, Buchanan.

Goals: Bergsson 36, Fradin 42 og, Pedersen 73, Ricketts 5.

Att: 5,821

Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).