Notts County 1-2 Rochdale (FA Cup Round One replay) 16.11.21

Notts County were beaten by a last minute goal to fall out of the FA Cup at the first round proper stage at Meadow Lane last night as football league opposition Rochdale managed in the end to avoid an upset and creep over the line to go through to round two.

The Dale where ahead inside fifteen minutes when Andrews turned in at the back post but Notts fought back in a competitive first half that saw Nemane having a shot saved and Rodrigues crash an effort against the bar.

At the other end O’Keefe might have made it two when he lobbed the keeper when played in through on goal, his effort going narrowly wide before Brindley heroically blocked an Andrews effort goal bound five minutes before half time.

Coming out of the traps fast, Notts pressed for a leveller in the second half as Wootton headed over a Palmer free kick before Rodrigues tried his luck from long range with another set play, inches over the angle of crossbar and posts to the visiting goalkeepers relief.

County however did get their breakthrough, Nemane it was on 63 minutes after substitute Cal Roberts played Chicksen in to cross to the Frenchman who slotted home his first goal for the club since joining in the summer from Torquay.

Rodrigues then had a chance to put the home side ahead after Roberts crossed into the Notts playmaker who volleyed sweetly but for Lynch in the Rochdale goal to save well on 77.

In the closing minutes it was the away side looking stronger, Newby shooting over on 81 before a double save from Patterson on 86 and O’Connell shooting wide a minute later, Wootton at the other end shot well over the bar from long range before the League Two side stole the show, Beesley heading into the bottom corner as the game looked destined for extra time, a huge knock out blow to Notts who gave as good as they got but for a late sucker punch to end their cup campaign.

Heads held high, Notts will go into Saturday’s match at Eastleigh with the aim of promotion very much, back on the agenda.

Notts County: Patterson, Brindley, Rawlinson, Chicksen, Nemane (Kelly-Evans 76), Vincent (Francis 89), Palmer, Rodrigues, Taylor, Mitchell (Roberts 57), Wootton.

Rochdale: Lynch, Taylor, O’Connell, Dorsett, O’Keeffe, Kelly, Morley (Broadbent 81), White (Done 67), Beesley, Andrews (Dooley 68), Newby (Odoh 81).

Venue: Meadow Lane

*Main image @Official_NCFC action between Notts and Rochdale from Meadow Lane.