Rochdale will once again be playing Coca Cola League 2 football next season having been beaten by neighbours Stockport County by the odd goal in five.

For the players and the 17000 fans who made the journey to the magnificent new Wembley Stadium it was crushingly disappointing but there must be no mention of the word failure. Keith Hill's young side were in truth beaten on the day by the better side as Stockport kept the ball much better and, in a game that despite the scoreline had suprisingly few chances, carried more threat.

If you are weak you always look for excuses in defeat.The strong though are entitled to look for reasons.

The simple truth is that the ludicrous and heartbreaking loss to suspension of Dave Perkins provided one mountain too many for the team to climb.Manager Keith Hill did his best, shuffling his pack and throwing full back Simon Ramsden into the midfield fray but despite everyones best efforts Jim Gannon's 5 across the middle held sway for the bulk of the afternoon.

Gary Jones as ever did his gargantuan best to wrestle control from his opponents but he was fighting a losing battle and with the full backs pinned back and unable to get forward in support the front men were starved of service and as a result chances on goal.

The game started slowly with both sides feeling each other and the first chance didnt arrive until the 21st minute when County's leading score Liam Dickeninson pulled a shot wide. A minute later Chris Dagnall produced a trypical twist on the edge of the box and saw his shot deflected narrowly wide.

From the subsequent corner whipped in by Kallum Higginbotham central defender Rory McArdle rose highest at the near post to thunder home a header and the Dale fans began to dream.

Unfortunately that lead lasted only 11 minutes as County worked a short corner on the right and left winger Tommy Rowe whippedin a visciuos angled cross that deflected off the hands of Nathan Stanton beyonf the wrong footed Tommy Lee and into the net.

Stockport started the 2nd half much the stronger and took the lead whn left back Michael Rose whipped in a dangerous cross and Anthony Pilkington's stooping header flashed by Lee and into the net off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

Within minutes a trademark run and shot from skipper Jones almost drew his side level but his hard low drive fizzed just wide of the upright.

Things got worse on 67 minutes as Dale were cut open on their left flank and as the ball was delivered into the box Dickinson produced a terrific first time finish from a fairly tight angle.

Having already replaced Higginbotham with Ben Muirhead at half time the Dale management threw on Rene Howe and Will Buckley in search of a miracle comeback and hope sprang eternal after a wonderful 76th minute goal by Adam rundle. a long throw from Muirhead was only headed up into the air by Rose and as it fell to him on the edge of the box Rundle produced a fantastic right footed volley that flahed past Conrad Logan in the County goal.

That would be the end of the chances and as the whistle went the Dale players had to endure the scenes of celebrations from County players and fans but they could leave Wembley with the heads held high. This has beena magnificent Centenary Season in which the young saud became history makers and recxord breakers gaining a first ever trip to the most stadium in the world and the most points ever gathered in a season.

The next and final stop is the Town Hall reception on Wednesday when the heroes, for that is what they are ,deserve to be acknowledged.

Then we must all come back better next season because as Keith Hill pointed out the experience has not killed us it has made us stronger.