Dale through to the second round of the FA Cup...
A late come back from Rochdale saw them progress to the second round of the FA Cup on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 win over Northampton Town at Spotland.
The visitors opened the scoring on four minutes through Ivan Toney and looked to be headed for the second round of the competition until Reuben Noble-Lazarus netted on his home debut in the 85th minute. Deep in stoppage time, Captain Olly Lancashire powered a diving header beyond Archer, earning Dale a place in the second round of the competition.
There were four changes to the side that lined up against Port Vale at the weekend. Olly Lancashire returned to the eleven to replace the ineligible Jack O’Connell, while Matty Lund started and Bastien Hery started ahead of Scott Tanser and Jamie Allen. Jack Muldoon made his start for the club as he was given the nod in place of Calvin Andrew.
Northampton Town opened the scoring after just four minutes from a set-piece. The ball was lofted into the area from the right hand of side of play and glanced into an unguarded net by Ivan Toney, who nipped in ahead of ‘keeper Conrad Logan as he came to collect.
GOAL: ROCHDALE 0-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN (Toney, 4)
The early goal gave the visitors an added belief and momentum stayed with the Cobblers. In the 13th minute they had an opportunity to double their lead, however, Emile Sinclair was unable to make a clean connection with a low cross from John-Joe O’Toole, and he sent his effort wide of the upright.
Two minutes later and Northampton had two opportunities on goal in quick succession. Joe Rafferty was caught in possession, allowing the Cobblers to send a long ball to Sinclair, who outmuscled his marker, before picking out Richards. Richards’ effort was parried away by Logan and picked up by Sinclair, who saw his effort go narrowly wide of the upright.
Dale grew into the game as the half progressed, but were limited in the final third as the visitors defended well.
Shortly after the half hour mark Dale had their best opportunity of the half as they carved an opening beyond the Cobblers’ defence, but it went unrewarded as Bennett blasted the Rose ball across the face of goal over the bar from six yards.
HT: ROCHDALE 0-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
After the break, Dale had plenty of possession as Northampton Town sat back, allowing Rochdale to keep the ball, however, Keith Hill’s side were unable to make the most of it as the Cobblers continued to soak up the pressure.
Rochdale had the first opportunity of the half, though, after Muldoon raced through on goal. He fired a left footed shot goal-wards in the 52nd minute, which was kept out by the legs of Jordan Archer at his near post.
Dale’s first substitute of the match followed shortly afterwards as Reuben Noble-Lazarus replaced Hery.
Despite the change, the second half had failed to get going, with the game very much a stop start affair.
In the 68th minute, there was a double change in personnel as Rafferty and Allen were replaced by Muldoon and Andrew.
In the last 20 minutes of the match, Dale turned up the pressure and had several opportunities on goal as the game burst to life, and with 76 minutes on the clock Dale were denied by the woodwork. Rose delivered a deep cross into the area, which was met by Allen. He attempted to play the ball back across the face of goal, but could only watch on as the ball rolled across the face of the bar.
Dale continued on the ascendency and two minutes later appeals for a penalty after Dawson went to ground inside the area were waved away.
Dale came close in the 82nd minute when Noble-Lazarus’ deflected effort looped up and dropped just over the bar, and it was three minutes later that the on loan Barnsley forward netted on his home debut to draw Rochdale level.
He had an initial volley blocked, which fell kindly for him, allowing him to fire beyond Archer.
GOAL: ROCHDALE 1-1 NORTHAMPTON (Noble-Lazarus, 85)
With Rochdale in the ascendency, Dale always looked the most likely to net a winner, and in stoppage time Olly Lancashire scored his first goal for the club. He powered a diving header beyond Archer, earning Dale a place in the second round of the competition.
FT: ROCHDALE 2-1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN
An away tie at Aldershot or Portsmouth awaits in the second round of the competition - their first round replay takes place on Wednesday evening.