Brave Rochdale suffered penalty shoot out misery after 120 minutes of pulsating action. Much the better side throughout they ultimately paid the price for missing 2 glorious chances in the final minutes of extra time when both Ben Muirhead and Chris Dagnall missed from close range.

Keith Hill's side started much the better and deservedly led their Championship visitors after 11 minutes when the persistence of Glenn Murray saw him fashion a chance for himself and he produced a cool finish-firing past the advancing keeper and in off the inside of the upright.

With Dagnall and Murray a constant threat and wingers Ben Muirhead and Adam Rundle back in harness this was a terrific display by Dale who once again made Championship opponents look ordinary

Obviously inspired by a half time rocket Norwich started the 2^nd period  much better and levelled when veteran Dion Dublin hooked home a free kick delivered from wide by Simon Lappin.

In extra time with Dale very much on top Murray was denied by Canaries keeper Marshall, in a move that should have seen Norwich defender Gary Doherty red carded.Marshall produced the save of the night to brilliantly tip away a Tom Kennedy rocket before the late chances that took the game to penalties.

Dale's Rory Prendergast and Gary Jones both saw their efforts kept out whilst the visitors coolly converted their first four to give them a win that they scarcely deserved.

Sometimes football can be a very cruel game but the reality is that this was a performance to be proud of and if it can be replicated in League football a rapid rise up the table is sure to follow.