Jon Lyons side had lost 6-1 in last season’s corresponding fixture, however, there was never any prospect of that happening again with George Powell and Martin Love adding to their tally.

That’s not to say Rochdale were never a threat. They had good spells in the game but did not capitalise. In contrast Heys, although never hitting the heights of their performance at AVRO, were ruthless when it mattered.

Heys made the perfect start going ahead after just five minutes. Paul Tierney was brought down by Heart’s keeper Scott Parker, giving the referee the easiest of decisions in awarding a spot kick, which was dispatched by George Powell.

When Bruce saw a short deflected over shortly after it looked like a comfortable night was in prospect but the visitors regrouped to give Heys some anxious moments on the back of some slick football with Danny Parker firing a shot across the face of goal.

The difference between the sides on the night was emphasised on the half hour as Heys, creating their first opening for a while, increased their lead in clinical fashion. A lightning break out of defence released Bruce and the Heys striker drove a powerful low shot past Parker.

Max White saw a free kick deflected over the bar and saw another shot come off the inside of the post before the interval but Rochdale continued to enjoy good possession, if not able to seriously trouble the Heys rear-guard.

It was a pattern that was to continue into the second half. Rochdale buzzed around the box but could not land a blow whilst Heys looked menacing with each attack.

Bruce had the ball in the net in the 53rd minute but his sweetly struck shot from a Tierney cross was adjudged offside.

Danny Parker squandered a good opening for the visitors shortly after before Jake Wood flashed a near post effort wide from a Tierney free kick.

Still in the balance, the game was to be settled in a two minute spell. In the 65th minute Rochdale’s best chance of the night fell to Phil Keefe but his close range header was saved superbly at the foot of the post by the legs of Rob Sadler.

With it went Heart’s last hope as Heys went up field to increase their lead. A break from defence reached Bruce on the edge of the area, who turned inside his marker, before classily lifting the ball over the ‘keeper.

With Rochdale spirits sapped, Heys pressed on and Bruce completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute latching onto a ball in behind the defence to slide past a stranded Parker.

Four minutes later it was 5-0. Love breaking from half way to guide the ball home.

At this point it seemed as if the game could finish any score as Heys picked holes in the remnants of the Rochdale defence but Parker ensured no further damage would be inflicted.