Rochdale exit the Johnstone's Paint Trophy following a penalty-shoot out defeat against Bury
Rochdale were knocked out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday evening with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Bury at Spotland.
Ashley Grimes had given Dale the lead on 18 minutes before Steven Schumacher netted on the re-bound following a spot kick six minutes after the interval.
With the match tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game at Spotland went straight to penalty kicks.
Manager John Coleman made four changes to the starting eleven for the match and handed starts to Ben Smith, Peter Cavanagh, Ray Putterill and Craig Curran. Josh Lillis, Jason Kennedy, Andrew Tutte and Dele Adebola were the four who made way.
Both teams had an opportunity each inside the opening minute of the match. Tom Hopper forced goalkeeper Ben Smith into a quick reaction save after storming through on goal and getting his shot away.
Straight up the other end and Ray Putterill, whose strike was nominated amongst the contenders for goal of the round in the last round, almost booked his place in the top ten once more after unleashing an effort from the edge of the area after a fantastic run for the half way line. He was denied only by the underside of the bar.
Rochdale were then forced into two early substitutions after both Ryan Edwards and Putterill exited the field of play inside the first ten minute of the match through injury.
Youngster Edwards was involved in a clash of heads in the second minute of the game and was attended to by medical staff before being eased onto a stretcher and carried off the pitch. Matty Pearson was introduced into the game in place of the 19-year-old, meaning Coleman had to re-shuffle his pack.
Phil Edwards, who started the encounter in midfield moved into the centre of defence, while Joe Rafferty took up the role in the middle of the pitch to make way for Pearson in the right back position.
After a lengthy stoppage due to Edwards’ head knock the game was re-started on seven minutes but just two minutes later Dale suffered their second casualty of the night after Putterill limp off with what appeared to be a groin strain.
With Putterill unable to continue on came the inform Andrew Tutte whose recent performances have earned a nomination for Player of the Month for September.
After a stop start beginning to the match, the game began to take shape with a quarter of an hour gone and it was Rochdale who looked the most threatening going forward.
And it was with 18 minutes played that Dale took the lead through Ashley Grimes. Following a neat one two with Kevin McIntyre, McIntyre slotted the ball through into the path of frontman inside the area, and after some quick foot work to find space, he coolly slotted a low drive past goalkeeper Trevor Carson and into the back of the net.
Rochdale continued to apply the pressure in the final third but wasted several chances in front of goal after giving the ball away.
The Shakers were allowed very few opportunities in the half but when they did Smith was on hand to see off the danger. Tom Hopper, who looked lively for the visitors throughout, saw his low drive well saved by the ‘keeper shortly after the half hour mark.
Despite very few clear cut chances in the half, Rochdale always looked comfortable and three minutes inside stoppage time Grimes came close to adding his second of the evening but was kept out by Carson who pulled off a fantastic low save to deny the striker who had got his shot away inside the area following a well-timed cross into the area by Pearson.
Straight up the other and end Bury saw out the half with an Andy Bishop header which went just inches wide of the upright.
The visitors came out after the interval all cylinders firing, and after a brief spell of pressure were awarded the penalty which would see them draw level.
On 51 minutes, Shane Byrne sent an awkward shot goal wards which was deflected out of play for a corner kick and it was from the resulting set piece that the Shakers were awarded the spot kick.
The ball was swung into a packed box and as Adam Lockwood attempted to smash the ball through a group of bodies, the referee pointed to the spot for a handball inside the area.
Schumacher stepped up to take the kick which was initially saved by Smith, but despite the fine save to keep out the penalty, the ‘keeper was unable to do anything about the re-bound effort from the Bury skipper which was toed poked into the net.
The visitors continued on top and made it difficult for Rochdale to get a foothold on the game. But despite pressurising the Dale goal, they were unable to make the most of any opportunities in the final third due to the strong Rochdale defence.
On 58 minutes, almost against the run of play Joe Rafferty sent a volley towards goal but his shot from the edge of the area went wide of the target.
Two minutes later and Schumacher, who was allowed space after the Dale defence sat off him, sent an effort high over the bar.
In a change to the tempo of the game, it was Rochdale who began to make their way back into the match.
On 66 minutes a Donnelly cross-come-shot was chested down by Craig Curran into the path of Grimes who fired it over the bar.
Dale were beginning to take charge of the game once more and Curran was denied by the quick reaction of Carson shortly afterwards following a free kick.
But as seen in recent weeks, Dale’s fixtures are never short of drama and with ten minutes remaining Curran was shown red for a challenge on ‘keeper Carson inside the area following a free-kick. Curran and Carson went for the same ball which had been whipped into the box by skipper Cavanagh, but it was the goalkeeper who came off worse after getting to the ball first.
Bury certainly looked to the make most of the extra man in the final stages of the match. They sent in several opportunities in quick succession on top of the Dale defence as the home side failed to clear the danger. In the end Smith finally put an end to the bombardment as he jumped high to smother a shot from substitute Peter Sweeney.
With the match tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game at Spotland went straight to penalty kicks.
A 5-4 penaly shoot out win for Bury sent the Shakers into the next round of the competition.