Rochdale 0 - 1 Walsall

Rochdale went out of the Football League Trophy at the second round stage after a narrow defeat to Walsall. Mathieu Manset’s cool finish midway through the first half was enough to separate the two sides after a below par performance from Rochdale.

Dale boss Keith Hill made four changes from Saturday with youngster Andy Cannon making his full debut whilst Ashley Eastham, Bastien Hery and Tom Kennedy were also given starts. Summer signing Jack Muldoon was named on the bench for the first time after injury in pre-season has kept the striker out.

Walsall arrived at Spotland just three weeks to the day after they were put to the sword 4-0 in the League, and set out for revenge.

Mathieu Manset went very close inside 90 seconds with a snap shot that deflected into the side netting.

Ian Henderson rattled the Walsall crossbar with a freekick on 15 minutes.

Ash Eastham saw his ferocious drive blocked by Walsall’s skipper.

The only goal of the game came in the 23rd minute. Former Dale striker Ashley Grimes picked a perfect through ball for Manset who finished beyond the on rushing Logan.

The second half was a none event as far as Dale were concerned.

Henderson had a shot go agonisingly wide and also forced visiting keeper Richard O’Donnell into an uncomfortable save in stoppage time but Dale just couldn’t breach a stubborn Walsall defence.

Rochdale now have a break after the game this weekend was postponed due to MK Dons having international call-ups meaning his players will get a few days off before preparing to face Gillingham back at Spotland on the 18 October.

Attendance: 1,156

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty, Eastham, O’Connell, Kennedy, Hery (Andrew 75), Allen, Cannon (Muldoon 58), Henderson (c), Vincenti, Done
Subs: (not used) Bennett, Diba, Kisimba

Walsall: O’Donnell, Taylor, Downing (c), Purkiss, Benning, A Chambers (c), Clifford (Flanagan 87), Baxendale , Manset (Cook 73) Grimes (Forde 84), J Chambers
Subs: (not used) Holden, MacGillivary, MacGillivray

Referee: Mr M Heywood
Assistant Referees: Mr C Akers & Mr S Hudson
Fourth Official: Mr S Copeland