Manager Robbie Stockdale’s post-match reaction to Dale’s 1-1 Emirates FA Cup draw with Notts County at the Crown Oil Arena…
“It was a tough afternoon against a good team,” said the Gaffer.
“I don’t know if people were just expecting us to roll them over because they’re in a division below us, but they’ve got plenty of talent in their team and lots of players that football league clubs would welcome in.
“It was a tough afternoon and we didn’t play to our best, but credit to Notts County for stopping us doing that. Saying that, I felt we created the better of the chances, and I think it’s a penalty late on. I’ve seen it back and I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was given. Jake [Beesley]’s had a good opportunity as well but the ‘keeper has made a good save.
“On the balance of play, it’s probably a fair result but we could have won it.”
Rochdale went ahead on the stroke of half-time through Corey O’Keeffe, before the Magpies equalised just after the hour.
“It’s a shame that we didn’t build on that [goal], and then a little bit of anxiety crept up in the ground but you’ve got to get through it and you’ve got to roll your sleeves up and you’ve got to stick to the principles of how we want to play and not shy away from it.
“It was a frustrating afternoon in many aspects, but we’re still in the draw and we’ve still go an opportunity to go through and we need to take that when it comes round.
“If you can’t win a game, make sure you don’t lose it. I never really felt that we were in danger of losing it - there were a couple of breakaways near the end, but if you ask Jay [Lynch], I don’t think he’s had to make many saves and certainly their goalkeeper was the busier of the two. But we probably didn’t do enough to win it.
“The positive is that we’re still in the draw. Everyone will see it as a poor result and I accept that, but at the same time you’ve got to give credit to Notts County. They’re a decent team.”
Watch the Boss’ post-match interview in full on the club’s YouTube channel below.