Lillis is spot-kick hero for Rochdale
ROCHDALE progressed to the third round of the Check a trade Trophy after beating Doncaster Rovers in a penalty shoot-out at the Crown Oil Arena.
The home side converted all five of their penalties while Rovers matched them all the way until Josh Lillis saved Tommy Rowe’s spot kick.
Matty Gillam had fired Dale ahead from the penalty spot after Andy Cannon was fouled in the area in the 33rd minute.
And Dale appeared to be in control after the break until Rovers levelled against the run of play in the 72nd minute through Liam Mandeville.
Cannon and Jim McNulty both saw efforts blocked as Keith Hill’s side pushed to restore their advantage, but Rovers defended resolutely, taking the game straight into the shoot-out where Dale’s nerve held out.
Attention now turns to Monday’s televised FA Cup second round tie at Slough Town, where Hill’s men will be out to avoid an upset and book their place in the third round with the potential of a money-spinning clash against one of the Premier League big guns.
Whatever the competition, Hill said it was important for Dale to go as far as possible.
“It’s important to us. We have to earn our own money and there’s different means of doing that,” he said.
“You can sell players, which we have done successfully, and cup runs - TV money, prize money.
“A good run in the Checkatrade and the FA Cup can make the difference come January and when planning after the season has finished for next season.”