Morecambe 1 - 1 Rochdale

Rochdale came from behind in this FA Cup tie to earn a replay back at Spotland on Tuesday week. Jason Kennedy slid the ball home after George Donnelly saw his shot well saved by Barry Roche. The Morecambe stopper was their man-of-the-match after pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Coleman’s men a passage through to the second round.

Dele Adebola was preferred to Ashley Grimes upfront in Dale’s only change from last weekend’s draw with Fleetwood Town.

Morecambe started the game much the brighter and deservedly took the lead. Andrew Fleming was allowed plenty of time to switch the ball to his right foot and fire low into the bottom corner of Lillis’ goal.

A major talking point came soon after. Ellison and Phil Edwards got into a tangle with the Morecambe man seemingly hauling Edwards to the ground and kicking out. In the mêlée that ensued, Ellison seemingly pushed his head into the face of Bobby Grant with the Dale striker falling to the ground; albeit a little theatrically. The referee decided there was nothing in the incident and restarted the game, although the home support made Grant out to be the pantomime villain, booing his every move.

Things could have got much worse for Coleman’s men minutes later when Jack Redshaw was put through but Lillis was quick to smother the striker’s path to goal.

That chance seemed to wake Dale up and up until the half time interval there was only one side in the game.

Bobby Grant was the subject of close attention from the Morecambe players and was felled right on the edge of the area. The striker dusted himself down to take the freekick but Roche managed to stick a foot out to turn behind for a corner. From the flag kick, Kennedy saw his volley pushed over by Roche.

Dale pushed forward at every opportunity and came close to an equaliser. Grant was again brought down just outside the area with his freekick this time cannoning back off the crossbar with Roche beaten.

Ryan Edwards brought the best out of the home keeper with a looping header that looked destined for the top corner but Roche was again equal to anything thrown at him and he denied Grant again with a low save just before the interval.

Coleman's men started the second half just as they had ended the first. Adebola fired a powerful header just over whilst Cavanagh will feel he should have done better when a loose ball fell kindly to him inside the six yard box but the skipper fired over.

With 18 minutes left to play, Dale finally broke through the Morecambe defence. Donnelly’s run and shot brought another fine save from Roche with Kennedy on hand to turn the ball home for the leveller.

It was no more than Rochdale deserved although after the goal they seemed to sit back, which invited a bit of pressure.

Lillis had to be alert to deny Nick Fenton when his bullet header almost gave the hosts the lead but the keeper blocked.

So its back to Spotland in 10 days time to do it all again for a place in the second round but at least Dale’s name will be in the hat when the draw is made.

Attendance: 1839

Rochdale: Lillis, McIntyre, R Edwards, Bennett, P Edwards, Kennedy, Tutte, Cavanagh (c), Adebola, Donnelly, Grant
Subs: (not used) Logan, Pearson, Craney, Barry-Murphy, Grimes, Smith

Morecambe: Roche, Fenton, Parrish, Haining (c), Wright, Alessandra (Parkinson 78), Ellison , Drummond, Fleming, McDonald, Redshaw
Subs: (not used) Arestidou, Reid, McGee, Burrow, McReady, Doyle

Referee: Mr S Martin

Assistant Referees: Mr P Davidson & Mr D McCallum

Fourth Official: Mr B Cropp