Rochdale confirmed their place in round two of the FA Cup last night with a 1-0 over National League side Wrexham.

A first half header from Paul McShane was enough to take Rochdale through on a difficult night at Spotland. If you’d only heard the crowd during the game and not actually seen the result then you could be forgiven for thinking we’d been beaten such was the negativity in the Main Stand.

Dale lined up with Spanish Bob in net, a back four of Keohane, O’Connell, McShane and Done. Morley and MJ were sitting deep in the midfield with Camps more advanced and a front three of Pyke, Tavares and Henderson. The bench was made up of Lynch, Calvin, Wilbraham, Ryan, Hopper, Gillam and Bradley.

Regardless of the moaning and groaning from the stands, Rochdale dominated possession in the first half with patient build up that looked for openings and Dale then took an early, well deserved, lead through Paul McShane. An Aaron Morley corner was flicked on and ended up finding the Irish centre-half at the back post who headed home.

It was the last impact McShane had on the game as he suddenly went down holding his leg off the ball in what looked like a worrying injury. Jimmy Ryan replaced him and MJ went into defence which wasn’t ideal.

Very few clear cut chances were created by either side and Dale continued to dominate possession. Matt Done went close with a shot that was well saved by Rob Lainton.

Bobby Grant had a half chance from a header that trickled wide and Carrington smashed an effort well over the bar.

Luke Summerfield forced Sanchez into a good save but that was the only save Sanchez had to make in the Dale net. In fairness, Lainton didn’t have a save to make either but going into the break, Dale were easily the better side but you just got a feeling that Wrexham were going to come out and push on in the second half and the game was going to change.

Wrexham did come back at Rochdale in the second half and the home side struggled to keep possession and let Wrexham in a few times which only enhanced the poor fan reaction in the home stands. I do wonder if Dale dread playing at home sometimes.

Bobby Grant again went close but he missed the target from close range in what was a let off for Dale.

Aaron Wilbraham being introduced for Tavares was a positive move as Tavares had really struggled to get into the game in all honesty.

Pyke made way for Calvin as well but found himself in defence in the closing stages as Dale were forced to go three at the back.

A dominant performance from Eoghan O’Connell ensured Dale held on for the win and set up a second round tie at home to Boston United on Sunday 1st December, advent calendar day!

Robert Sanchez: 6. Pulled off a really good save in the first half but still had fans worrying with his laid back style.

Jimmy Keohane: 7. One of Jimmy’s best performances in recent weeks. Solid performance and defended very well.

Eoghan O'Connell: 8. Absolutely tremendous performance again. Easily man of the match. Didn’t miss a header all second half

Paul McShane: 7. First goal for Dale and played well before going off injured.

Matt Done: 6. Better performance from Done

MJ Williams: 5. Not a centre-back, pure and simple but didn’t play well in midfield either. Kept the ball well but is so soft when going in for tackles.

Aaron Morley: 7. Good performance first half, kept the ball superbly well and was always looking for the ball. Good corner for the goal as well. Not as impressive second half

Callum Camps: 6. A fairly quiet game for Camps.

Rekeil Pyke: 5. For a tall presence in the side, he doesn’t win anywhere near enough and he struggled to have an impact in the game again.

Ian Henderson: 6. Battled hard as always and ran himself into the ground

Photo: Action Images

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