Jermaine Beckford's love affair with the FA Cup continued as City professionally disposed of League 2 Swindon to advance to the competition's last 16.

The Foxes striker, whose hat-trick destroyed Nottingham Forest in the previous round, was at it again at King Power Stadium, hitting a goal in each half to knock out Paolo Di Canio's brave Robins.

It took Beckford's career record to 14 goals in 16 FA Cup matches, while helping City notch up a third straight win as they continue to gather momentum under Nigel Pearson.

And they will look forward to Sunday's fifth round draw with relish as the business end of the competition moves firmly into sight.

Beckford's double underlined his on-going improvement in a City shirt, with the former Everton and Leeds striker now with seven goals for the season and five in his last three games.

But a third straight clean sheet will be just as pleasing for Pearson, with Sean St. Ledger outstanding at the heart of a back four that were sternly tested by an inventive Swindon attack.

Credit should go to the League 2 side, who produced the sort of eye-catching football you would expect from a side managed by the colourful Di Canio.

But City eventually showed their quality, putting the game to bed in the second half after Swindon had briefly threatened to upset the apple cart in the build-up to half-time.

With Danny Drinkwater cup tied and Nathan Delfouneso without permission to play from parent club Aston Villa, Pearson had little option but to stick with the side that had started the wins over Nottingham Forest and Southampton. Paul Gallagher recovered from a back complaint in time to make that possible.

Their early fluency was impressive and they took the lead on four minutes through the predatory Beckford, who provided a simple finish to a clever pass from captain Matt Mills, who had advanced into the box for a partially-cleared corner.

The in-form striker was at it again eight minutes later, forcing a fine save from Wes Foderinham despite handling the ball in controlling Gallagher's pass.

But Swindon, fourth in League 2, were not to be daunted and almost drew level on 23 minutes, but Oliver Risser's header from a Matt Ritchie free-kick was pushed away by Kasper Schmeichel.

Their plucky advances grew into a period of obvious pressure before the interval, with Alan Connell clipping the top of Schmeichel's crossbar with a deflected shot, before somehow failing to equalise four minutes short of the break.

A wonderful low cross from Alessandro Cibocchi caused havoc in the City defence, but St. Ledger's heel prevented Connell converting and Paul Konchesky's block denied Ritchie from the follow-up.

Schmeichel was forced into a flying save form Cibocchi's brilliantly-struck free-kick moments later, but the break interrupted Swindon's rhythm and City took control.

Within eight minutes of the restart, Beckford doubled his total. Richie Wellens found Gallagher in space down the right, his cross was nudged away from the goalmouth by Paul Caddis and Beckford side-footed into the roof of the net.

St. Ledger headed a Gallagher corner just wide on the hour-mark and Neil Danns hammered a low shot just wide as Swindon began to tire. The visitors, to their credit, continued to venture forward, but miss-hit shots from both Caddis and Ritchie after mazy runs highlighted the effects of fatigue.

David Nugent, industrious all afternoon, saw a downward header saved by Foderingham from Gallagher's right-wing cross, before young Tom Hopper, on for his first team debut, ruffled the side-netting with the Kop willing him to score.

A third may perhaps have been harsh on Swindon, who were a credit both on the pitch and in the stands, where 3,830 sang their hearts out.

Depending on the outcome of Sunday's fifth round draw, it could be City enjoying such a big day out on February 18.

City (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Peltier, Mills (c), St. Ledger, Konchesky (Kennedy 73); Gallagher, Danns, Wellens, Dyer; Nugent (Hopper 81), Beckford (Howard 65).

Unused subs: Smith, Tunchev, Parkes.

Goals: Beckford 4, 53

Booked: Konchesky

Swindon Town (4-4-2): Foderingham; Caddis (c), Devera, McCormack, Cibocchi; Ritchie, Ferry (Thompson 80), Risser, De Vita (Gabilondo 54); Benson, Connell (Murray 60).

Unused subs: P. Smith, Boateng, J. Smith, Magera.

Attendance: 19,942 (3,830 away)

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)