Tues 17th October 2006 - 7.45pm

 1

Rochdale

 1

1

Mike Ingham

1

Matt Gilks

6

Craig Morgan

2

Simon Ramsden

3

Ryan Valentine

12

Alan Goodall

5

Steve Evans

19

Lee Crooks 83

7

Mark Jones

6

Jon Boardman

8

Danny Williams

8

Gary Jones

15

Mike Williams

5

John Doolan

11

Chris Llewellyn

16

Keith Barker

12

Matt Crowell

21

James Sharp

20

Matty Done

20

Clive Moyo-Modise 85

17

Josh Johson 90

9

Chris Dagnall

Substitutes

13

Michael Jones

25

Theo Coleman

14

Simon Spender

4

Ernie Cooksey 83

16

Levi Mackin

7

Darrell Clarke

24

Gareth Evans

15

Joe Thompson

18

Jon Newby 90

26

Morike Sako 85

SCORERS

Dagnall 40
Penalty takers:
Jones - Scored
Doolan - Scored
Goodall - Scored
Barker - Scored
Dagnall. - Scored

BOOKINGS

Stuart Ashworth at the Racecourse Ground

Rochdale edged through to the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy following five spot on spot-kicks.The result also extended Rochdale's unbeaten away run, a run that stretches back to August.

It wasn't a classic by any means and Rochdale certainly rode their luck after Matt Gilks fumbled the ball over his own line in the second half before sheepishly clearing the ball.

Rochdale manager Steve Parkin aired on the side of caution with defender Nathan Stanton just one booking away from suspension and opted to bring Jon Boardman in his place.There was also a starting place for Clive Moyo-Modise with Morike Sako finding himself on the bench.

Dale welcomed John Doolan back after he served his suspension at the weekend and he rolled back the years with another superb performance in the middle of the park.

The home side began the game very well with the lively Josh Johnson asking all the early questions down the right wing.It was his ball on 11 minutes that almost allowed Wrexham's Matty Done in at the back post after a little indecision by Matt Gilks and Jon Boardman.Fortunately the ball skipped behind the Wrexham man and the chance was gone has he slid out of play.

Chances are goal were rare and the crowd begin to 'ohhh' at anything that came within 16 feet of the woodwork.With 17 minutes played cue the 'ohhs' from the 79 Dale fans who made the trip as Dagnall shot over the bar after good work down the left hand side by Goodall.

Wrexham's Chris Llewellyn was beginning to get more into the game and we went close with a shot that actually hit the target, but his shot from the wide left of the area was easy for Gilks.

As the half hour approached Dale skipper Gary Jones found the space to fire in a shot from edge of box after cutting in from the left.With a wet and greasy surface the order of the day Jones drilled a low effort goalwards but it saved by Ingham who did well to hang onto the ball with Dagnall sniffing.

John Doolan crafted an opening for Dale young striker Moyo-Modise with a sublime ball into the area with the outside of his boot.The ball fell perfectly into the path of Modise but he failed to lift the ball over Ingham and he slid out to save.

It wasn't long after that Rochdale did thake the lead and lady luck had a big part in it.The deadlock was broken on 42 minutes after Chris Dagnall skipped in from the left before playing a one-two with Barker on the edge of the box.The diminutive scouser shot for goal from just outside the box and a deflection off debutant Craig Morgan took the ball into the net with Ingham wrong footed.

It was just what Rochdale needed going into the break and after it as the home side came out very strong.The frustrating Josh Johnson, a winger with bags of pace managed to climb out of Alan Goodall's pocket during the interval and managed to put in a rare good cross on 50 minutes.

His ball into the box was met by Williams but he could only find the back of his own man before Gilks flopped on the ball, it was a good chance squandered.

Seven minutes later and the home side had the ball in the back of the net after a

57th minute corner spelt trouble for Gilks.The ball in skimmed off defender Jon Boardman and it looked like a simple catch from the Dale 'keeper was about to follow.Somehow the ball squirmed from Gilks' grasp and fell over the goal line, Gilks picked the ball up on the bounce and bowled it out to Goodall with protests from the Wrexham faithful ringing in his ears.

To be honest it looked in from our vantage point and the body language of the Rochdale stopper suggested that was the case, but the referee looked to his linesman and he kept his flag down.

With 61 minutes played the visitors should have doubled their lead after Dagnall was sent through one on one thanks to a lovely weighted ball by Doolan.Dagnall rounded the keeper and shot on the turn but Wrexham defender Ryan Valentine got back to head the ball clear off his line.

Not long after Steve Parkin's side created another opportunity this time for youngster Clive Moyo-Modise. His turn of foot following a little trick on the left side of the box found the room for a shot, but as many efforts before, the shot went straight down the 'keepers throat.

Dale had another great chance to put daylight between themselves and Wrexham on 72 minutes after a firm Barker cross from the left hit Chris Dagnall in the six-yard box.The ball connected with Dagnall's rear-end before flopping into the grateful arms of Ingham.

With ten minutes to go Wrexham levelled matters in almost identical fashion as Dale's first half opener.Crowell put in a meaningful run before driving a low shot that caught the leg of Boardman deflecting the ball wide of Gilks who like his gloved counterpart in the first half, stood helplessly by.

Lady luck also went walkabout for Blackburn loanee Keith Barker just a minute later after a shot on the turn was saved superbly by Ingham who flew across to his right to prevent the Dale striker getting his first for the club.

Sako replaced Moyo-Modise and skipped through with his first touch got into the box and fired a fierce shot straight into the arms of Ingham.

It proved to be the final real effort of note for either side and with the game ending all square the game went straight into a penalty shootout under the new rules.Dale executed their spot kicks in fine style and Gilks proved to be the hero of the hour making a fine stop from Chris Llewelyn to send Dale through to the next round.

Match Stats

ATTEMPTS

 12

ATTEMPTS

 9

ON TARGET

 6

ON TARGET

 4

FREEKICKS

 14

FREEKICKS

 9

CORNERS

 2

CORNERS

 3

OFFSIDE

 4

OFFSIDE

 3

YELLOW CARDS

 0

YELLOW CARDS

 1

RED CARDS

0

RED CARDS

0

POSSESSION

67%

POSSESSION

33%

Star Player

Wrexham

Rochdale

 Chris Llewellyn

 Jon Boardman

 Lively and dangerous especially in the second half when he was prepared to run at the Dale defence.

 Came into the defence in place of Nathan Stanton and looked solid playing alongside James Sharp.

Managers Comments in Brief

Dennis Smith

Steve Parkin

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