Heartbreak for Notts County as last-gasp Beesley header sends Rochdale into the Second Round of the FA Cup

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A spirited second-half fightback from Ian Burchnall’s side was put to bed by a 90th-minute winner from Jake Beesley to set up a Second Round tie against Plymouth Argyle.

Substitute Matt Done’s delivery was nodded home by Beesley in the dying embers to complete the victory for Robbie Stockdale’s men. The Dale will see it as justice done after a controversial draw set up a replay.

With over 4,000 in attendance at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night, the Magpies were hoping for yet another magical occasion under the lights, but despite their best efforts, they fell short.

Josh Andrews opened the scoring for the visitors after 15 minutes as he side-footed home Liam Kelly’s cross on the volley after being left completely unmarked at the back post. The League Two side dominated the early affairs, however, as the game went on, County grew into the moment.

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Portuguese attacker Ruben Rodrigues was a nuisance for Rochdale defenders all night and rattled the crossbar from long range as the hosts turned up the heat.

Despite going into the interval a goal down, the Magpies never looked deflated or appeared to lack intensity and motivation.

Saturday’s goalscorer Kairo Mitchell was rewarded with a start on the night but failed to make a significant impact and made way for Callum Roberts just shy of the hour mark.

Burchnall’s instinct paid off once again as Roberts’ smart work down the left-flank set up Adam Chicksen who saw his cross bundled in by Rochdale’s Aidan White for an equaliser.

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Rodrigues was yet again a headache for the Dale backline but goalkeeper Jay Lynch produced a stunning save to keep the hosts at bay and deny the 25-year-old on the volley.

Despite Magpies shot-stopper Adam Patterson having a turbulent first-half, looking nervous on the ball and spraying misplaced passes, he kept his side in the game late on as they vowed to fight another day.

Patterson superbly denied two Jake Beesley headers from close range, however, as the tie looked to be drawing to a close in normal time, Beesley struck a dagger with his third effort leaving Patterson scrambling.

A disappointing night for Notts County where they felt like they deserved more and definitively should’ve had more. Joel Taylor didn’t look like his usual self at left-back and skipper Kyle Wootton was silenced by Rochdale’s back three of Jeriel Dorsett, Eoghan O’Connell and Max Taylor.

Dale boss Robbie Stockdale praised his opponents, stressing how ‘tough’ and ‘difficult’ the affair turned out, but hailed the ‘Rochdale way’.

“It was really tough, a really difficult game. We saw in the first tie at our place that they’re a very good team. They have a way of playing and they made it very difficult for us. We changed our tactics in terms of setting up a press in the mid part of the pitch, and from the goalkeeper’s kicks we though we could step on and we nearly got a couple of opportunities from that. 

“It’s obviously great to get a late winner again. Since I’ve been here, we’ve been on the receiving end of them and everybody tells me that’s the Rochdale way and all the rest of it, but we’ve scored two goals in two games late on to get a draw and a win – let’s make that the Rochdale way.”

Ian Burchnall said he knew from the first game that this would be a tight one, but his side didn’t play with enough purpose or intensity on the night to come away victorious.

“We saw from the first game that this was going to be a tight one. It was always going to be an entertaining game, but I thought the first-half was a little bit boring if I’m honest. We didn’t play with enough purpose or intensity but I don’t think they did massively either. 

“They got the [first]goal, and I guess for them they were quite happy to contain the tempo. When we came out and pressed a bit higher, more aggressively and started to play with more purpose in the second-half we looked really good.”

Rochdale’s win sets up a Second Round tie at home to Plymouth Argyle on December 5th and will be aired on ITV4.

Notts County now face two league games on the road against Eastleigh and Boreham Wood as they look to bounce back and continue their journey back to the Football League.