Rochdale 4 - 1 Aldershot

FA Cup second round replay

Rochdale set up a third round FA Cup clash with Championship side Nottingham Forest after a Matt Done hat-trick sealed their passage through at the expense of Aldershot. The striker netted his second hat-trick of the season with former Aldershot player Peter Vincenti scoring the other in a resounding win. The Conference side had drawn level midway through the second half to add to the nerves around Spotland but Vincenti’s goal just 101 seconds later gave Dale the platform they needed.

After a goalless draw in the first game, this replay was to decide who would host Nottingham Forest in the third round. Keith Hill’s squad had been decimated by illness and suspension 10 days ago but this time only Jack O’Connell was missing due to the terms of his loan deal from Blackburn Rovers.

The opening goal came just after the hour mark when Rhys Bennett picked out a perfect pass to Joe Rafferty down the right. The full back took the ball forward before playing a low ball for Done to slot home from close range.

Aldershot, who are 58 places below Dale in the football pyramid, responded well to going behind and perhaps should have levelled on 37 minutes. Dan Holman’s through ball split the Dale defence with Jordan Roberts the recipient. The midfielder managed to lift the ball over the on rushing Conrad Logan but wide of the target.

Dale finished the half strong and could have increased their advantage. Lund forced a smart save from Phil Smith whilst Vincenti was denied when his header was deflected over by a defender.

Rochdale had huge penalty claims waved away by referee Mark Brown minutes into the second half. Henderson’s control and shot deserved more but Smith was equal to his effort with Done firing the loose ball at goal only for it to be blocked by a defender, seemingly by a hand.

With just a goal separating the two sides, Aldershot always looked like they had a chance of sending the game to extra time and with 17 minutes left on the clock, they thought they had done just that.

From their first corner of the game, Hatton’s flag kick was met by an unmarked Dan Fitchett to power a header beyond Logan.

Dale could have crumbled but just one minute, 41 seconds later former Aldershot man Vincenti fired Dale back into the lead. Done’s deep cross evaded everybody except Vincenti at the back post and he swept the ball inside keeper and post.

That goal crushed Aldershot’s resolve and they leaked two more late on.

Vincenti’s through ball would have seen Henderson offside but the striker didn’t make an attempt to touch the ball, instead leaving it for Done to run on to before rounding the keeper to make it 3-1.

Logan had to be alert moments later when a long range freekick had to be beaten away.

As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, Done claimed the match ball after great work by Calvin Andrew. The substitute unselfishly picked out Done when he could have shot and the striker tapped in from two yards out.

There was anxious wait deep for Dale into stoppage time when Aldershot's Kieran Forbes went down in the box but referee Brown decided it was a dive and booked the midfielder for simulation.

Dale’s passage through now means the derby game against Oldham at Boundary Park set for Saturday 3 January wil have to be re-arranged as Rochdale will host Nottingham Forest that day.

Attendance: 2,077

Rochdale: Logan, Rose, Eastham, Lancashire (c), Rafferty, Dawson, Vincenti, Bennett (Hery 82), Lund, Henderson, Done
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Camps, Noble-Lazarus,Cywka, Cannon

Aldershot: Smith, Barker, Oaslter, Wilson (c) Gibbs, Molesley (Plummer 79), Roberts, Holman (Fitchett 63), Williams, Forbes, Hatton
Subs: (not used) Thomas, Oyeleke, Diallo, Derry Phillips

Referee: Mr M Brown
Assistant Referees: Mr W Grunnill & Mr P Thompson
Fourth Official: Mr A Tankard