Rochdale lost out to Morecambe in a disappointing display at Spotland, as Paul Mullin's goal was enough to see the away side through to the area semi finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Mullin hooked in a early volley before later missing a penalty, but the League Two side held on for a deserved win.
Keith Hill made four changes from the side that beat Swindon at the weekend, with Calvin Andrew, Donal McDermott and Rhys Bennett all coming in, whilst Joel Castro Pereira; on loan from Manchester United, made his first start in goal. There was also a place on the bench for recent signing John-Christophe Ayina after he joined on Friday. Despite their difference in league status it was Morecambe who started much the brighter on the night, keeping possession well and pressuring Dale into a lot of early mistakes that seemed to affect the Dale players confidence. It was no surprise therefore when Morecambe took the lead just 13 minutes into the tie. A corner was only partially cleared and when it was fed back into the box Paul Mullin's snap shot on the half volley flew past Pereira to make it 1-0. Dale continued to waste possession and Morecambe's tactics were executed well as after their goal manager Jim Bentley signalled for a 5-man midfield which constricted Dale's passing play even further. Matthew Lund and Donal McDermott in particular were disappointing as their first touches let them down on numerous occasions to gift Morecambe back the ball. Rhys Bennett, who was making his first start since coming back from injury, seemed clueless in an attacking midfield role and Hill perhaps needs to understand that Bennett has neither the vision or passing ability to perform well in that particular position. Dale did create one opening when Rose picked out Andrew who did well to side-step the defender, but the striker curled his effort well wide. It was just 10 minutes after the opener when Morecambe were granted the perfect opportunity to extend their lead. Captain on the night Jim McNulty's clearing header was an awful one and Aaron Wildig capitalised, flicking the ball up before being clattered by the aforementioned, who was perhaps lucky to escape a second booking. Mullen stepped up confidently but his low effort was well saved by debutant Pereira who then had to get down bravely to deny a sliding Morecambe attacker. His heroics inspired hope in the dejected home fans but they went into the break disappointed as Morecambe continued to dominate. McNulty was also replaced by Tom Kennedy at the back, with Hill unwilling to risk a second booking for the centre-half ahead of Saturday's important game against Wigan.
After the break and Hill made a second-half change, introducing Lewis Alessandra in place of the usually consistent Lund, who hasn't really reproduced his form from the promotion season thus far. Dale improved and began to look more dangerous, with early chances missed by the in-form Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and McDermott but Dale has still failed to really test away keeper Barry Roche. Morecambe began to drop deeper and let Dale come onto them which gave Hill's side a little more joy in the wide areas but the final ball was often disappointing. Ayina was introduced as Dale got increasing desperate in their search for an equaliser, and the Frenchman, previously of Paris Saint Germain, had a brilliant chance with his first touch after great work by Alessandra to cut it back, but his shot turned into more of a clearance as he fired the ball against his other foot and away. The shot did turn into a good pass for Bennett who was brought down on the edge of the area, presenting a promising opportunity for Rose and his attempt brought a good save from Roche. Morecambe had a glorious chance to finish Dale off when the excellent Jamie Devitt found himself through on goal but despite having time to pick his spot, he put the ball well wide to the disbelief of his manager and the majority of the crowd. Mendez-Laing, fresh from his hat trick at the weekend, did have one final chance to take the game to penalties but his shot from the edge of the box was well wide of Roche's goal. Dale keeper Pereira was one of the few bright sparks in an abject match, endearing himself further to the home fans when he raced back to make a sliding tackle after going up for a corner in the final minutes. Hill, who had expressed his desire and expectation to do well in this year's trophy, will have been disappointed that his side were unable to brush aside their league two opponents, but for Morecambe, having already defeated fellow League One opposition in Walsall and Bury, a place in the area semi final awaits.
Full Time: Rochdale 0-1 Morecambe
Keith Hill made four changes from the side that beat Swindon at the weekend, with Calvin Andrew, Donal McDermott and Rhys Bennett all coming in, whilst Joel Castro Pereira; on loan from Manchester United, made his first start in goal. There was also a place on the bench for recent signing John-Christophe Ayina after he joined on Friday. Despite their difference in league status it was Morecambe who started much the brighter on the night, keeping possession well and pressuring Dale into a lot of early mistakes that seemed to affect the Dale players confidence. It was no surprise therefore when Morecambe took the lead just 13 minutes into the tie. A corner was only partially cleared and when it was fed back into the box Paul Mullin's snap shot on the half volley flew past Pereira to make it 1-0. Dale continued to waste possession and Morecambe's tactics were executed well as after their goal manager Jim Bentley signalled for a 5-man midfield which constricted Dale's passing play even further. Matthew Lund and Donal McDermott in particular were disappointing as their first touches let them down on numerous occasions to gift Morecambe back the ball. Rhys Bennett, who was making his first start since coming back from injury, seemed clueless in an attacking midfield role and Hill perhaps needs to understand that Bennett has neither the vision or passing ability to perform well in that particular position. Dale did create one opening when Rose picked out Andrew who did well to side-step the defender, but the striker curled his effort well wide. It was just 10 minutes after the opener when Morecambe were granted the perfect opportunity to extend their lead. Captain on the night Jim McNulty's clearing header was an awful one and Aaron Wildig capitalised, flicking the ball up before being clattered by the aforementioned, who was perhaps lucky to escape a second booking. Mullen stepped up confidently but his low effort was well saved by debutant Pereira who then had to get down bravely to deny a sliding Morecambe attacker. His heroics inspired hope in the dejected home fans but they went into the break disappointed as Morecambe continued to dominate. McNulty was also replaced by Tom Kennedy at the back, with Hill unwilling to risk a second booking for the centre-half ahead of Saturday's important game against Wigan.
After the break and Hill made a second-half change, introducing Lewis Alessandra in place of the usually consistent Lund, who hasn't really reproduced his form from the promotion season thus far. Dale improved and began to look more dangerous, with early chances missed by the in-form Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and McDermott but Dale has still failed to really test away keeper Barry Roche. Morecambe began to drop deeper and let Dale come onto them which gave Hill's side a little more joy in the wide areas but the final ball was often disappointing. Ayina was introduced as Dale got increasing desperate in their search for an equaliser, and the Frenchman, previously of Paris Saint Germain, had a brilliant chance with his first touch after great work by Alessandra to cut it back, but his shot turned into more of a clearance as he fired the ball against his other foot and away. The shot did turn into a good pass for Bennett who was brought down on the edge of the area, presenting a promising opportunity for Rose and his attempt brought a good save from Roche. Morecambe had a glorious chance to finish Dale off when the excellent Jamie Devitt found himself through on goal but despite having time to pick his spot, he put the ball well wide to the disbelief of his manager and the majority of the crowd. Mendez-Laing, fresh from his hat trick at the weekend, did have one final chance to take the game to penalties but his shot from the edge of the box was well wide of Roche's goal. Dale keeper Pereira was one of the few bright sparks in an abject match, endearing himself further to the home fans when he raced back to make a sliding tackle after going up for a corner in the final minutes. Hill, who had expressed his desire and expectation to do well in this year's trophy, will have been disappointed that his side were unable to brush aside their league two opponents, but for Morecambe, having already defeated fellow League One opposition in Walsall and Bury, a place in the area semi final awaits.
Full Time: Rochdale 0-1 Morecambe