Manager Sam Allardyce had used the game to make a number of changes which included returns to the side for Anthony Barness, Per Frandsen and Henrik Pedersen whilst both Ibrahim Ba and Jardel where given their first starts for the club. Youngsters Jeremy Bon and Charlie Comyn-Platt where named amongst the Bolton substitutes.
Walsall manager Colin Lee welcomed back Paul Merson and Zigor Aranalde to the side which included some experienced names such as Neil Emblen, Vinny Samways and the ex-Bolton defender Paul Ritchie.
It was the Nationwide League outfit started the better though when in the second minute Australian midfielder Steve Corica was first to test Kevin Poole in the Bolton goal but the Walsall midfielder's 25-yard drive could not find its way past the veteran keeper who was quick to tip the ball around the post to deny his former Leicester City team mate.
Walsall thought they had taken the lead a few minutes later but Paul Merson's goal was ruled out after referee Roy Pearson had seen a foul commited by Saddlers striker Deon Burton on the Bolton keeper Poole.
Bolton took the lead on 14 minutes when Per Frandsen's cross was met by debutant Ibrahim Ba who in turn headed the ball into the path of Mario Jardel to stoop to head the ball past James Walker in the Walsall goal.
Walsall refused to lie down in the first half and where full of energy with Corica once again testing Poole with yet another stinging drive but Colin Lee's side where finding Jardel a handful as he caused them all sorts of problems within the goal area.
Shortly before half time he combined well with Henrik Pedersen only to see his header land on the roof of the net, but he was more than showing that he is near to full fitness and much the player he was during his Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto days.
After half time the much leaner Jardel could of added a second for the Wanderers. Once again fellow striker Pedersen set up the Brazilian but he was unlucky to see his effort cannon back off Walker's crossbar.
The second goal did come on 69 minutes, Pedersen once again involved comfortably played the ball into the path of Kevin Nolan and the England U21 midfielder scored the best goal of the night when he planted a right foot drive into the roof of the net.
Walsall introduced both Gary Birch and youngster Matt Fryatt in a bid to reduce the defacit and on 74 minutes the nerves started to jangle slightly when the substitute Birch had his cross converted from close range by former England player Paul Merson to reduce the errears.
Despite Jardel then facing burn out, the Wanderers took the last ten minutes or so to give 17-year old Academy prospect Charlie Comyn-Platt a debut coming on for fellow defender Bruno N'Gotty.
Bolton's decision to keep Jardel on the pitch paid dividens when he added a second shortly after to send Bolton through to the next round. His penalty kick was parried away by Walker but the Brazilian was quick to turn home the rebound.
Just over 5,000 turned up at the Reebok Stadium to see it and despite people critisising Sam Allardyce in the past for fielding weakend teams this was a satisfactory performance and will give the likes of Jardel confidence ahead of Saturday's Premiership clash with yet another Midlands team as Wolverhampton Wanderers visit the Reebok.