Dale 2 Darlington 1
On a thoroughly draining and emotional day Keith Hill's brave young boys dealt with conceding what could at best be described as a debatable first half penalty and even worse the scandalous decision to red card Dave Perkins by converting all 5 penalties in a dramatic shoot. Tommy Lee emerged as a hero keeping out Jason Kennedy's low effort before Ben Muirhead took the lid off a packed Spotland by calmly converting his spot kick.
Perkins had earlier rifled home an unbelievable goal to give his side a deserved lead on the day and TV evidence clearly showed that referee Beeby's decision to send him off for an innnocuous looking challenge was at best inappropriate. Unless his side can successfully appeal the decision the little midfielder will miss next Monday's trip to Wembley. How heartbreaking would that be?
If Dale were a little caught in the headlights up at Darlington for the opening moments of the first leg there was no repeat in this game. Within minutes Chris Dagnall had headed over from close range and fired over the bar with visiting keeper Stockdale marooned outside his box.
Against the run of play the visitors took the lead on 27 minutes with the whole of the stadium left confused as to why referee Beeby had pointed to the spot. Apparently Rene Howe was adjudged to have impeded Jason Kennedy but the Sky pundits in theri half time summary described it as " harsh"
After the understandable complaints had died down Clark Keltie slammed home from the spot sparking what would be premature chants of "We're all going to Wembley" and " Are You Watching Hartlepool?"from the 1900 visiting supporters.
Just before the break Dale drew level with more than a little help from keeper Stockdale who is said to be on his way to Premier League Fulham in the summer. The big keeper failed to hold an Adam Rundle free kick and as he flapped a combination of Chris Dagnall and Quakers midfielder Ricky Ravenhill forced the ball over the line.
Ravenhill had in truth a bit of afternoon to forget as just after the start of the second period he saw his deflected effort rebound off the cross bar and not long after received a yellow card for an outrageously theatrical dive,
At the break Keith Hill replaced Rene Howe with Adam Le Fondre and with his pace and movement he was a real thorn in the side of the Darlington defenders.
On 79 minutes Le Fondre was tripped in the box but referee Beeby ignored the pleas for a penalty so Perkins picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and simply smashed it into the roof of the net.
By now Dale were completeley on top and from an inswinging corner Dagnall had a effort cleared off the line.
The game eventually moved into time added on but any hopes Dale had of forcing a deserved aggregate win expired with the sending off of Perkins ealy in the 2nd period, when,after a nothing tackle Ravenhill and at least 2 of his colleagues over reacted massively and referee Beeby for some reason showed him a red card. Why? Again TV evidence shows that he was wrong.
So it was down to penalties and in truth a bit of a masterclass for the first Guylain, Purdie,Wainwright and Ravenhill netted for Darlington and Dagnall,Kennedy, Le Fondre and Jones matched them for Dale.
Tommy Lee kept out Jason Kennedy's effort so it was down to Ben Muirhead to spark scenes the likes of which havent been seen at Spotland since 1969.
Dale are going to Wembley
Pictures to follow
FOOTNOTE :IN THE CELEBRATIONS THAT FOLLOWED DAVE FLITCROFT LOST HIS MOBILE PHONE. HAVE U FOUND IT? WE NEED IT BACK.
