ROVERS3 BOLTON0 Flitcroft 55, Hignett 70 (p), 78 CRAIG Hignett must have feared the worst when Rovers boss Graeme Souness swooped to sign Eyal Berkovic last month.

With competition for places already ferocious at Ewood, the little Israeli's arrival was hardly likely to enhance his own chances of a regular midfield berth.

But last night the diminutive duo joined forces to send Bolton packing for the second time in the space of 13 days on another memorable night for Rovers' jubilant Cup Kings.

Hailed as something of a Messiah following his arrival from Barnsley in the summer, Hignett has spent most of the season in limbo after a freak Achilles injury left him staring at the walls of Rovers' Brockhall treatment room.

But the chirpy Scouser has now emerged from nine months of personal frustration to slam three goals in his last three games.

And last night's double-salvo provided Souness with conclusive proof that the 32-year-old is on his way back.

"I was delighted for Craig," said Souness.

"Higgy's season hasn't really got going because he hasn't played on a regular basis.

"He didn't really get any pre-season work under his belt, some people really struggle if they don't do that, and he's a case in point.

"But he's bounced back and he's shown he can be a valuable asset to have."

With both teams currently locked in a battle for promotion, this tie had been billed as the game no-one wanted to win.

But the magic of the FA Cup was firmly alive and kicking as Ewood erupted on the final whistle after Rovers earned a mouthwatering trip to Highbury on Saturday.

Hignett stole the headlines after two goals in the last 20 minutes killed off sad Wanderers.

However, it was the sublime skills of Berkovic which once again had Rovers fans purring with delight as they filtered towards the exit gates after the final whistle.

Three years ago the pint-sized playmaker was public enemy number one in this corner of East Lancashire after a spat with Kevin Gallacher saw the the former Rovers striker controversially sent off in an explosive fifth round FA Cup tie at West Ham.

For months afterwards, angry Rovers fans bombarded the Telegraph offices with letters chastising the Israeli for his part in the incident.

But now that's all been firmly forgotten and the Blackburn End have found themselves a new hero to worship.

Make no mistake -- Berkovic is a special talent who oozes class.

Clearly revelling in a free role behind the front two, his ability to spot and execute a killer pass sets him apart from the rest of his team-mates.

And, ominously for Rovers' rivals, Souness believes he's not even started to click into top gear yet.

"There's a lot more to come from Eyal. I worked with him for a year so I know what he's capable of," said Souness.

"And common sense tells you he can't yet be fully fit because he didn't play a lot in Glasgow.

"But he worked his socks off and he was absolutely worn out in the last 15 minutes of the game.

"So give him another half dozen games and he might start to find someone with his clever passes!

"But we've got a few people in the team who are capable of exciting things and, when you've got those types, then you always feel you've got a chance of a goal somewhere.

"Bolton came here to try and stop us from playing but, eventually, we got to them and I thought we won handsomely in the end."

With a glut of vital League games to come, both managers decided to shuffle their packs with Souness making five changes to the team which beat West Brom on Saturday while Bolton boss Sam Allardyce went one better and switched six players from the side which held Fulham.

However, it was Rovers' superior strength in depth which ultimately saw them through on a night when Brad Friedel was not called upon to make a serious save.

The first half took time to catch fire but Hignett raised the tempo when he singed the fingertips of Steve Banks with a sweetly struck free kick.

And the lively Marcus Bent then fluffed two golden opportunities as the home side turned the screw before more heroics from Banks kept out the nine-goal hitman's stunning scissors kick.

But Rovers finally broke the deadlock on 55 minutes thanks to a moment of magic from Berkovic.

The on-loan star cut in from the left and ghosted past a couple of challenges before threading a clever ball through for Garry Flitcroft to stab home from eight yards.

It was 2-0 on 70 minutes when Kevin Nolan pushed Hignett in the box as he jumped for a Flitcroft cross and the former Barnsley man then picked himself up to sweep the resulting penalty emphatically past Banks with his right foot.

Matt Jansen then shot wide after being sent clear by Berkovic before Hignett wrapped things up with a thunderous 20 yard drive past a startled Banks following a clever cut back from Marc Keller.

Now bring on Arsenal. Bolton came here to try and stop us from playing but, eventually, we got to them and I thought we won handsomely in the end