Rochdale were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Notts County in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday.
Corey O’Keeffe put Dale ahead on the stroke of half-time but Kyle Wootton equalised for the visitors just after the hour, to earn a replay.
There were two changes to the side that lined-up against Barrow last weekend. Jay Lynch replaced Joel Coleman in goal, while Stephen Dooley came in for Alex Newby.
Rochdale had the first opportunity of the game, when Abraham Odoh picked up on a loose ball and drove into the area before curling an effort narrowly past the post.
Corey O’Keeffe then came flying in at the back post to meet Aaron Morley’s corner but struck his half-volley from a tight angle into the side netting.
Soon after, the visitors had their first chance of the half, as former Dale loanee Joel Taylor let fly from 20-yards and sent a fierce strike narrowly wide of the upright.
Either side of the half hour, Kyle Wootton put a powerful header past Jay Lynch’s post, whilst, up the other end, Jake Beesley had a header held by Anthony Patterson.
On the stroke of half-time, O’Keeffe broke the deadlock. Odoh’s corner came all the way through to him at the back post, and after taking a touch, he fired into the top far corner.
HT | ROCHDALE 1-0 NOTTS COUNTY
Soon after the restart Odoh scuffed an effort wide through a packed box, before Callum Roberts’ shot from the edge of the area was held by Lynch.
In the 57th minute there was a big save from Patterson to keep out Beesley, with the ‘keeper denying the Rochdale forward’s close range strike with his legs.
Four minutes later Notts County were level. After Aaron Nemane had seen his powerful shot deflected narrowly wide, Wootton headed home at the near post from the resulting corner.
Dale’s first substitution followed soon after, as Stephen Dooley made way for Conor Grant.
The visitors then had a couple of opportunities from range, with both Matty Palmer and Ruben Rodrigues hitting over without troubling.
With a minute of the game remaining there were big shouts for a Rochdale penalty after Grant looked to have been tripped inside the area, but the referee wasn’t interested in the appeals.
In stoppage time Captain Eoghan O’Connell curled a free-kick from just outside the area at goal but it was well-held by Patterson.
The two teams will now face each other in a replay at Meadow Lane during w/c November 15th.