Danny Dichio scored a first-half hat-trick as West Brom comfortably despatched Bradford in the FA Cup third round.

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 goals took his tally for the last seven games to six as the striker once again underlined his case for a regular place in the Albion team.

We did feel crosses would put them under pressure and we'd been working all week on trying to get the ball in there early West brom boss Gary Megson

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

Dichio opened the scoring for the home team after just four minutes.

The Bantams defence allowed Adam Chambers far too much space as the home side built an attack down the right flank and Dichio headed home the wing-back's cross from six yards.

Seven minutes later Dichio scored again, diverting Ronnie Wallwork's cross into the Bradford goal.

And he completed his hat-trick after 19 minutes.

Jason Roberts powered through the middle of the park before passing the ball to Dichio, who slipped the ball past Aidan Davison.

Take Dichio and Jason Roberts out and put them in our team and we would have won the game Bradford manager Nicky Law

The closest Bradford came to a goal in the first half were long-range shots from Claus Jorgensen and Lewis Emanuel.

After the break, West Brom continued to press forward, with Andy Johnson and Scott Dobie both going close.

And Bradford's consolation goal came very much against the run of play.

Claus 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 matchball.

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.

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

Subs not used: Beach, Forrest, Evans, Reid.

Booked: Molenaar.

Att: 19,909

Referee: D Elleray (Middlesex).