Blackburn show their quality as they end Wrexham's fairytale

Rovers got off to the worst possible start when Andy Cannon fired the League Two outfit ahead. Having knocked Coventry City out of the competition last year, there were fears of another cup upset.

Those concerns were quickly put to bed as Rovers scored three times in 13 minutes to turn the game around. Sam Szmodics got the first, firing in from inside the box with the aid of a deflection.

Sam Gallagher then made it two only a few minutes later, bursting past the defender and beating goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to the ball which made his finish far simpler.

Szmodics then added his second before half-time, latching on to Tronstad's ball over the top to calmly add his 21st of the season, with five of those in the FA Cup in two rounds.

Rovers made sure of their progression into round five after the break as Sondre Tronstad fired into the roof of the net on the hour mark. Credit to Gallagher for his work rate, winning the ball back in the box to allow Tronstad to net his first for the club.

That proved enough to snuff out any hopes of a Wrexham comeback, with the last half an hour a mere formality. Rovers' hopes of a first visit to the new Wembley live on for another month.

With speculation swirling around the futures of Sam Gallagher and Adam Wharton, all eyes were on the team sheets. Rovers' number nine started with Wharton junior amongst the substitutes, perhaps indicative of Crystal Palace's continued interest.

Away from the transfer circus, the return of Tyrhys Dolan after two months out with a knee injury was significant. He was amongst five changes with Joe Rankin-Costello, Scott Wharton, Andrew Moran and Arnor Sigurdsson all recalled.

There was little reason for Tomasson to rest any of his players. Wrexham's Hollywood appeal, 7,000 backing and scalp of Coventry City last season left concern that this fixture was ripe for a cup upset.

With Newcastle United at home the carrot on the end of the stick, it gave both teams further incentive to win the fixture. For Rovers, they had to ensure they matched Wrexham's desire, work rate and energy, earning 'the right to play', as they would say in years gone by.

Tomasson sprung a surprise with the formation, opting for the 3-4-3 he finished with against Huddersfield. That meant Rankin-Costello played as the third centre-back, with Dolan and Sigurdsson as unorthodox wing-backs.

Rovers started on the front foot, pressing Wrexham high and not giving their League Two opponents a moment to breathe. 

Szmodics was involved early on with two chances, first, he turned wide from inside the box before dinking the onrushing goalkeeper but Ben Tozer was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Despite starting so fast, Rovers couldn't find an opening goal and as the game ticked past the 15-minute mark, Wrexham started to come into the game.

With Rovers playing high wing-backs, it meant there was plenty of space on the outside of the back three, particularly in transition. That proved crucial in Wrexham getting the opener

Jake Garrett was dispossessed in Rovers' third and after a couple of quick passes, Cannon burst into the space to the left of Scott Wharton and rifled a shot past Aynsley Pears. It was the first sight of goal the Welsh side had mustered but they led, sending the away end into pandemonium.

The visiting fans were on their feet again shortly after as they almost doubled the lead. Pears palmed away Cannon's shot from range but as the rebound fell to Paul Mullin, he produced a brilliant reaction save to deny him.

That was the wake-up Rovers needed and they rallied to finish the half in command. The first of three quickfire goals came in the 32nd minute. 

Garrett fed the ball to Gallagher in the box and he showed good footwork to get the ball to Szmodics, who fired in with the aid of a deflection. 1-1.

The second followed less than two minutes later and this time was all the work of Rovers' number nine. He burst past Tozer on the left touchline and beat Arthur Okonkwo to the ball, leaving him with an easy finish.

In truth, his task was made far simpler by the Wrexham goalkeeper's rush of blood but it was a timely reminder of the athleticism he can offer Rovers in attack.

With the half edging to a close, Rovers gave themselves some breathing room in the tie as Szmodics added his second. The striker made a clever run and was picked out by Sondre Tronstad's inch-perfect pass before bringing it down and firing left-footed into the corner.

That's 21 for the season for Szmodics, with five already in the FA Cup. He is simply on fire right now.

The start of the second half was a more low-key affair, with both sides threatening and trading blows. 

It wasn't until the hour-mark that Rovers got their first real chance and they made the game safe. Gallagher tackled the Wrexham defender inside the box and the ball fell to Tronstad, who smashed it into the roof of the net.

The remainder of the match was played at a canter, with Rovers knocking the ball around and watching the clock tick down. Aside from a stressful 10-minute spell in the first half, they showed their class against a tricky opponet.

It wasn't the Hollywood script that owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney would've written but they didn't deserve a fairytale ending with Rovers comfortably the better side.

They will now welcome Alan Shearer and Co to Ewood Park for a place in the quarter-finals. That will take place on the week commencing February 26, under the light at Ewood Park.