Dale hold on in Foxes U21 clash to top Checkatrade Trophy group

ROCHDALE secured top spot in their Checkatrade Trophy group with a 2-2 draw against Leicester U21s.

Dale took the lead after five minutes at the Crown Oil Arena, veteran striker Calvin Andrew with a bullet header into the top right of the goal from captain Daniel Adshead’s corner.

Keith Hill’s men made it 2-0 after 17 minutes after a recycled corner routine found Florent Hoti, whose cross was headed home by Jimmy McNulty.

Leicester U21s got a goal back 10 minutes later when Alex Pascanu hit a thunderbolt into the keeper’s near post from the right-hand side.

The visitors had a good start to the second half, Ryan Loft with a great chance after 49 minutes when he dispossessed McNulty on the right, but he fired his effort wide.

After 66 minutes, Leicester U21s were level, Loft cutting in on the left before firing low on Dale keeper Magnus Norman’s near post.

Loft had the chance to give Leicester the lead on 81 minutes from the penalty spot, but his effort came back off the right-hand post.

Rochdale’s best chance of the half came in the 90th minute when Zach Clough was through one-on-one after a counter, but his near post effort was saved.

Despite Leicester U21’s domination in the second half, Rochdale held on for a 2-2 draw to top northern group B.

Under EFL Trophy rules, the game went to penalties to gain an extra point, where Leicester U21s won 4-3.