Barclays Premiership Charlton confined their recent dismal record of cup defeats by lower division opposition to the history books as they comfortably dismissed Rochdale.

Two goals by Bryan Hughes and one each from Jonathan Fortune and Danny Murphy ensured the Addicks, embarrassed by the likes of Oxford, Luton, Walsall and Gillingham in cup action in recent seasons, avoided a further shocker at the hands of League Two Rochdale.

Manager Alan Curbishley, mindful of his side's woeful record in knockout games in recent years, took no chances by naming a near full-strength line-up.

While Rochdale showed plenty of spirit going forward, their defence looked vulnerable to the pace of the Premiership side.

Every time Charlton went forward they looked capable of prising open the Dale rearguard - and only some less-than-clinical finishing and over-elaboration denied Curbishley's side a more comprehensive victory.

The Rochdale defence cracked after just 19 minutes when Francis Jeffers, back in the Charlton attack after problems with an in-growing toenail, crossed low from the right.

Midfielder Hughes was on hand to mark his own return to the starting line-up by turning the ball in from close range.

The pair almost struck again when Hughes lashed in a fierce shot and Jeffers just failed to get a touch before the ball narrowly missed the far post.

Rochdale caused Charlton a couple of moments of anxiety with a shot from midfield Leo Bertos taking a shot before Dean Kiely pushed it to safety.

Then Rochdale strikers Paul Tait and Grant Holt had shots blocked before Jason Euell scrambled the ball away.

The Lancashire side's attacking flurry finally fizzled out when Kiely was fortunate to see a miscued clearance bounce to safety after he raced from his penalty area to clear as Bertos chased a long ball.

Charlton reasserted their authority and struck again two minutes before half time.

Matt Holland's corner from the right was headed on by Jonatan Johansson and defender Fortune swooped at the far post to hook in his volley.

But, just when Charlton looked to have secured their grip on the game, they paid for a defensive mix-up early in the second half.

Central defender Talal El Karkouri failed to get his head to Fortune's lofted back pass and Holt ran through to apply a clinical finish, placing his shot past the outstretched right hand of the diving Kiely and just inside the post.

But Charlton, with second-half substitute Murphy playing an influential role, quickly regrouped to overcome the setback.

After Murphy saw a free-kick and a shot both blocked, Jerome Thomas picked out Hughes with a pinpoint cross from the left for the midfielder to head his second goal into the top corner in the 57th minute.

Seven minutes later Charlton struck again after Rochdale defender Daryl Burgess was booked for a lunging challenge on Thomas.

Murphy's inswinging free-kick somehow evaded everyone, including goalkeeper Gilks on its way through the penalty area to the back of the net.

Enterprising Rochdale never gave up chasing the game, with Holt forcing an excellent late save from Kiely, but the gap in class was simply too wide for them to bridge.

Teams

Charlton Kiely, Young, Fortune (Fish 74), El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Thomas, Euell (Murphy 45), Holland, Hughes, Johansson (Konchesky 79), Jeffers.

Subs Not Used: Andersen, Rommedahl.

Goals: Hughes 19, Fortune 44, Hughes 56, Murphy 64.

Rochdale Gilks, Evans, Burgess, Heald, Goodall, Clarke (Warner 76), Bertos, Jones, Cooksey (McGivern 86), Holt, Tait (Atieno 68).

Subs Not Used: Edwards, Gallimore.

Booked: Burgess.

Goals: Holt 51.

Att: 13,955

Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).