Rochdale are going to Wembley

Tommy Lee makes the penalty save that allowed Ben Muirhead to score the winner

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Rochdale 2 (Dagnall, Perkins)
Darlington 1 (Keltie pen)
(3 -3 on aggregate)
 After Extra Time
 Rochdale won 5-4 on penalties

For the first time in their history Rochdale will play at Wembley. They won through to the League Two play-off final after beating Darlington on penalties at Spotland.

Dale hit five perfect spot-kicks and Jason Kennedy missed Darlington’s last. Ben Muirhead stepped up to take Dale’s crucial kick, smashed the ball into the net and suddenly the pitch was flooded with Dale fans.

David Perkins scored a wonder goal to take the game to extra-time but was then sent off during the second half of the added period.

Darlington opened the scoring and had one foot at Wembley when Clark Keltie scored from the penalty spot after the referee had somehow adjudged Rene Howe to have pushed Kennedy.

A Dagnall goal gave Dale their equaliser just before half-time and Perkins’ strike ten minutes from time took the tie to extra-time.

It was the perfect gift for Dale boss Keith Hill on his birthday. He said: “It’s a great day and it’s great to celebrate with the family that is Rochdale Football Club.

“I always put business first and pleasure second but if you can combine the two that’s even better.

“This is what we aimed for and now we’re one game away. It’s one match and it won’t be a lottery…the best team will win.”

Rochdale made the one expected change to the side that lost in the first leg. Nathan Stanton returned from the two match suspension he incurred for a sending off at Bury to take up his place alongside Rory McArdle at centre-half.

Chris Dagnall squandered a glorious opportunity in the opening minute. Adam Rundle stole some space for a cross and put in an inch perfect cross for Chris Dagnall, who only needed to put his header on target but glanced the ball over the bar.

It was a scrappy affair, with nerves from both sides. This was no more evident than the method by which Dale’s next chance arrived. Darlington captain Steve Foster and goalkeeper David Stockdale got into a mix up thirty yards from goal. The ball fell to Gary Jones to shoot from halfway. His shot was blocked by Stockdale but it fell kindly for Dagnall. Again the striker couldn’t keep his composure, blazing over the top.

Darlington took the lead against the run of the play with a real killer goal. It came from the penalty spot. Whether or not it was a spot kick was certainly questionable. It was given for push by Rene Howe on Jason Kennedy as a Darlington free-kick came into the box. Clark Keltie took the kick, scoring with a strong penalty into the top corner.

The tie was back on when Dagnall prodded in from close range. Rundle’s sharp free-kick caused havoc in the Darlington box. Stockdale could only parry and Ravenhill could not prevent Dagnall pouncing.

Keith Hill brought on Dale top-scorer Adam Le Fondre at half-time in place of Howe but it was Darlington he created the first chance of the half when Ravenhill, at the right end, slammed the ball off the face of the crossbar.

An extended period of Dale pressure followed, with plenty of ball into the Darlington box, but without creating anything clear-cut. Their only efforts came from long range with Dagnall and Kallum Higginbotham shooting well wide from distance.

Forays into the Dale half were a rarity for Darlington but gaps started to appear in the Dale defence as the home side pushed for the vital goal. Keltie exposed one such hole but could only fire his shot narrowly over the crossbar.

Dale had penalty shouts waived away with fifteen minutes to play when Le Fondre appeared to be brought down by Steve Foster but a minute later Dale were ahead through a David Perkins wonder goal. Perkins cut in from the right touchline and unleashed a delightful left-foot strike from twenty-five yards.

Like Jason Kennedy’s goal for Darlington in the first leg, this goal deserved to win the game. So it proved and the sides prepared for extra-time.

Rochdale started the stronger and carved out an opening in the first minute. White lost the ball for Darlington and Le Fondre was able to feed Perkins, who passed on to Rundle to drill a low shot just wide of the far post.

It was end to end stuff and Darlington had their own penalty claims turned down when Ravenhill’s shot appeared to strike the arm of Dale skipper Gary Jones. The referee waved away the protests.

Darlington veteran Julian Joachim was next to find an opening. He stole a yard on Dale sub Ben Muirhead but could only put his shot straight at Lee.

Into the second half and the two teams had fifteen minutes to find a way to Wembley.

Disaster struck for Dale when goal hero Perkins was sent off for a high tackle on Ravenhill. From the resulting free-kick Nathan Stanton came close to heading into his own net; Lee was forced to tip the ball over the bar.

Minutes later Stanton was charging forward towards the opposite goal and Dale won a corner. Muirhead took it deep for Le Fondre on the volley and the ball glanced the crossbar on its way over.

Dale hung on with ten men to take the game to penalties…and the rest is history.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen praised Dale, he said: "I am absolutely delighted and pleased for our town. The boys have done us proud and we're now busy organising our trip to Wembley next week. As a lifelong fan, I'm delighted to recognise this incredible achievement from Keith Hill and the lads. I can't wait for next week!" 

Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Simon Danczuk, said: “This is excellent news for our club and our town. I’m a season ticket holder and have been to most home matches this season with my kids, we’ve had some great fun watching Dale climb the table. Now we’re on our way to Wembley and I urge as many Rochdale folk as possible to follow our team south for this historical match, I’ll certainly be there.”

Rochdale: Lee, Ramsden, Kennedy, Stanton, McArdle, Rundle (Doolan), Jones, Perkins, Dagnall, Howe (Le Fondre 45), Higginbotham (Muirhead 88).
Subs not used: Holness, Thompson.

Booked: Howe.
Sent Off: Perkins.

Darlington: Stockdale, White, Foster, Wainwright, Cummins (Ndumbu-Nsungu 52), Keltie (Nelthorpe 88), Purdie, Joachim, Ravenhill, Wiseman, Kennedy.
Subs not used: Miller, Main, Kazimierczak, Nelthorpe, Ndumbu-Nsungu.

Booked: Wainwright, White, Ravenhill.

Attempts (on target): Rochdale 9 (2) Darlington 8 (3)
Freekicks: Rochdale 25 Darlington 20
Offside: Rochdale 1 Darlington 5
Corners: Rochdale 8 Darlington 5