And Andy Cole’s throughball set up Tomasz Radzinski for the game’s second goal in the 65th minute.

They can now look forward to taking on Derby in the fourth round.

Blackburn advanced to a fourth-round tie against Colchester but had to battle all the way against Cardiff before winning 3-2.

All the pre-match talk had centred on Robbie Savage’s arrival and Barry Ferguson’s possible departure but the crowds at Ewood Park soon had their minds concentrated on the action on the field.

David Thompson’s first-time shot gave Blackburn the lead after just nine minutes but Jobi McAnuff levelled for Cardiff in the 24th minute.

Thompson then enjoyed a stroke of luck as his ball into the box took an odd bounce which deceived Cardiff keeper Tony Warner. He was distracted by Paul Gallagher’s run and the ball drifted into the net to restore Rovers’ advantage.

And Norwegian winger Morten Pedersen looked to have wrapped up the victory with his third goal in three games, diverting Lucas Neill’s cross home two minutes into the second half.

However, James Collins pulled a goal back for Cardiff, scrambling home the rebound after Brad Friedel had saved his header.

Hartlepool got the better of Boston United, winning 1-0 thanks to Adam Boyd’s goal against the run of play in the 72nd minute. A trip to Brentford awaits in the fourth round.