Rochdale 1-4 Stoke City

• Bojan scores but goes off injured

• Ireland, Moses & Walters also on scoresheet

• Bennett nets consolation for Rochdale

• Stoke to visit Blackburn in next round

Stoke City avoided being the victim of another FA Cup fourth-round upset with a comfortable victory at League One side Rochdale.

A stunning volley from Bojan Krkic gave the Premier League side an early lead before a neat finish from substitute Stephen Ireland and a driven Victor Moses goal put them in control.

Rochdale got on the scoresheet late on when Rhys Bennett struck from close range but Jon Walters made sure of victory by tapping home in stoppage time.

Stoke, losing finalists in 2011, will travel to Championship team Blackburn in the fifth round.

After several upsets in Saturday's FA Cup games, there was a sense of belief among the Rochdale supporters that their side could also claim a Premier League scalp.

They had seen off Championship side Nottingham Forest to secure their place in the fourth round for the second successive season and, keen to progress even further for the first time since 2003, they immediately went on the attack against Stoke.

An enterprising start saw them win an early corner after Peter Vincenti's shot was deflected behind but for all their early enthusiasm, there was little they could do about a moment of magic from Bojan inside the fourth minute.

The former Barcelona forward quickly adjusted to the unfamiliar surroundings of Spotland when he volleyed in a stunning opener after a clearing header fell to him on the edge of the area.

It was a brilliant finish, but was to be his only contribution as his game was ended just after the half-hour mark when he suffered an injury after chasing a ball into the box. He later left the ground on crutches and will have a scan.

Bojan's departure seemed to invigorate both Rochdale's players and fans and the hosts embarked on an impressive spell of dominance, coming closest to an equaliser when Matt Done poked a shot just wide after getting between two Stoke defenders.

Potters boss Mark Hughes became increasingly animated as the half wore on, and whatever was said in his half-time team talk clearly had the desired effect as the visitors scored twice in under 10 second-half minutes.

First, Ireland slotted in from close range after Moses had broken into the area to set up the chance, before Moses curled the ball into the top corner.

The home fans seemed resigned to defeat after those goals, but were given a smattering of hope when a late free-kick was stabbed in by Bennett.

However, Stoke wrapped things up when Walters struck with virtually the last kick of the game.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill:

"We tried to attack with intent and press the opposition but they are an excellent side. The game is marginal no matter where you stand in the pyramid. Fair play to Stoke, they were worthy winners in the end. The Bojan goal was a great piece of skill but it didn't frighten us.

"The lads have done the club credit."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes:

"We got the job done but credit to Rochdale. In the first half we found it difficult. We had a great goal from Bojan which helped us and in the second half we got to grips with them and turned it around.

"At the weekend a lot of teams fell by the wayside and we weren't going to let that happen to us. We waned to make headlines for the right reasons and thankfully Rochdale haven't made the news.

"Bojan's injury, it is too early to know, he's going for a scan and hopefully it will be good news. Since he came to the club he has done things like that, we see it in training every day.

"We look forward to going to Blackburn now. We'll take a huge following there."

Bojan opened the scoring before going off injured

Victor Moses scored only his second goal of the season at Spotland

Rhys Bennett scored a late consolation for Rochdale, who are fifth in League One

Stoke manager Mark Hughes, left, will be up against his former club Blackburn in the next round