We’re still alive in FA Cup: Stockdale
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ROBBIE Stockdale insists his Rochdale side’s inability to beat Notts County in the FA Cup first round tie does not spell the end of the club’s interest in the competition this season.
The Magpies fought back from a Corey O’keeffe goal at the end of the first half to draw 1-1 after Kyle Wootton levelled in a second half where Dale were on the back foot for long stretches.
The mood in the stands was tense at times during that second period and the final whistle greeted with a smattering of boos.
And while Stockdale acknowledged it was a frustrating afternoon, he was quick to point out that he tie is still there for the taking when the teams meet again at Meadow Lane next Tuesday.
“The atmosphere around the changing room and certainly towards the end of the game feels like we’ve lost – we haven’t, we’re still in there, we’re still fighting but we know we need to play better,” said Stockdale.
“It was a tough afternoon against a good team.
“I don’t know if people were just expecting us to roll them over because they’re in a division below us, but they’ve got plenty of talent in their team and lots of players that Football League clubs would welcome in.
“It was a tough afternoon and we didn’t play to our best, but credit to Notts County for stopping us doing that. Saying that, I felt we probably created the better of the chances, and I think it’s a penalty late on. I’ve seen it back and I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was given. Jake (Beesley)’s had a good opportunity as well but the ‘keeper has made a good save.
“On the balance of play, it’s probably a fair result but we could have won it.”
O’keeffe’s goal on the stroke of half time put
Dale in the box seat –but they failed to make the most of their advantage. .
“It’s a shame that we didn’t build on that, and then a little bit of anxiety crept up in the ground but you’ve got to get through it and you’ve got to roll your sleeves up and you’ve got to stick to the principles of how we want to play and not shy away from it.
“It was a frustrating afternoon in many aspects, but we’re still in the draw and we’ve still got an opportunity to go through and we need to take that when it comes round.
“If you can’t win a game, make sure you don’t lose it. I never really felt that we were in danger of losing it - there were a couple of breakaways near the end, but if you ask Jay [Lynch], I don’t think he’s had to make many saves and certainly their goalkeeper was the busier of the two.
“But we probably didn’t do enough to win it.
“The positive is that we’re still in the draw. Everyone will see it as a poor result and I accept that, but at the same time you’ve got to give credit to Notts County.
“They’re a decent team. Obviously we have a big league game before then (against ) so our focus will be on that but when it comes round to the replay we will deal with it that as and when.”
Stockdale admitted to being disappointed with the goal conceded from a corner.
“I’ve haven’t seen the goal back yet but we’ll review it – obviously it’s not what we want to be doing, conceding from set plays, so it’s something we will have to look at and try to get better at,” he said.
And on the penalty claim late on for a challenge on Conor Grant, he added: “I thought it was a penalty but I would say that – I’m sure if you asked Ian he would say their player touched the ball. I just find it strange that the referee doesn’t award a penalty and if he thinks their player made contact with the ball why doesn’t he give a corner?
“If he gives a corner, he kills me with any conversation because he just says the player touched the ball – but to give neither, you have to scratch your head.
“But I’ve always said from day one that I’m not going to hide behind a referee’s decision if we’re not on the right end of a result.”