Matty Done admits there were mixed emotions in the dressing room after Rochdale’s 2-2 draw with Millwall at the Den.
A gallant performance by Keith Hill’s side almost saw Dale book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2003, however, Ben Thompson’s strike on 90 minutes rescued a replay for the Lions.
The Championship side took the lead from the penalty spot but Rochdale responded magnificently to draw level, with Ian Henderson finishing coolly beyond the outstretching David Martin from the edge of the area. Done put Dale ahead less than 10 minutes into the second half, only for Neil Harris’ side to draw level at the death.
Speaking after the game, Done was disappointed that Rochdale couldn’t hold until the end but was proud of the way the players performed.
“There’s mixed emotions, considering how close we were to getting the win,” he said.
“There’s disappointment in the changing room because we’ve come to a Championship team and did really well but have conceded so late. To be disappointed with a draw shows that we played well today.
“We felt comfortable. We knew it was going to be a test coming here, no matter what league they’re in, but we came in at half time and thought we had done well in the first half. When we took the lead, we had more chances to score more goals and we could have been 3 or 4-1 up. It was always going to be backs against the wall over the last 15 minutes and it was, but we’re disappointed to concede so late.”
And Done hopes the side can take that type of fighting performance into the league.
“There was a real fight and grit about the performance and that’s the most disappointing thing.
“It’s alright doing it in the fourth round of the FA Cup, but we’ve got a lot to answer for – we haven’t done it so far this season in League One. We’ve turned up at times, but we’ve all just said after the game that we’re disappointed that we can do that today when the pressure is off [but not in the league].
“We need to put in 20 performances like we’ve had today during the rest of the season. We’ve got 20 cup finals to stay in the league and today is a big confidence booster, knowing that we can go and do it. We can definitely take some confidence out of that performance today.”