Dale took Premiership new-boys Fulham to a penalty shoot-out in the second round of the Worthington Cup. After extra time the score was 2-2, though somewhat luckily on behalf of our visitors. Full report online.

Words can not express the disappointment felt by Dale fans as they left the ground. We had given Fulham a game and they knew it! Every Dale player and fan though can have their heads held high after such a gutsy performance.

It took all the luck in the world for Fulham to finally dispose of Dale. Everything in the game fell their way, the refereeing decisions, the ball bounced for them, and even their goals were lucky. However it must be said they do play some good football, but at times Dale not only matched them but we were better than them.

Dale went into the game welcoming back Paul Connor into the starting lineup, meaning Townson started on the bench. A bumper crowd was at Spotland for the game, inlcuding almost 500 Fulham fans - yeah right! There certainly wasn't that many. In fact the total attendance was almost 6500. The fans got behind the team from start to finish, and it sure worked.

Fulham started brightly and in the first half looked a good team. They took the lead, very luckily in the 17th minute. A lovely move saw Barry Hayles through on goal. his low shot was excellently saved by Gilkes, but unfortunately the rebound fell straight to Boa Morte who had a simple tap in.

Dale rallied though and got their act together. Griffiths had a header cleared off the line, as Dale frantically searched for an equaliser. It wasn't to be in the first half anyway. The second half though saw Dale play like a team on a mission. It was all Dale. The play was controlled excellently in the middle of the pitch by Gary Jones who had his best game for a long time.

Paul Connor was replaced after failing to really make an impact. Super Kevin Townson replaced and what an impact he had! With just 15 minutes remaining Kev stormed through the static Fulham defence before unleashing a thunderbolt shot into the top corner leaving Maik Taylor in the Fulham goal completely stranded. The ground erupted! The Sandy Lane a sea of bodies, jubilant in celebration.

The last few minutes of normal time saw Dale trying to hold out, at which they did successfully. Extra-time loomed, and just before the end of the first period, Dale were on cloud nine. Clive Platt (I think!) hit a low shot against the post. Townson was first to react and stabbed it home to send the crowd wild. Could Dale hold on?

Well the answer was given by the ridiculous amount of injury time supposed to be played! 3 minutes appeared on the board. What was going on? Had Al Fayed bribed the Officials? Well Dale thought they were almost there. Two minutes had gone of the three when Rufus Brevett broke down the left and fired home an equaliser. Dale fans were distraught. So close to victory, yet it was snatched away.

It came down to penalties in front of the Sandy Lane. Gary Jones stepped up. 1-0. Fulham also scored. Kevin Townson was next. 2-1. Up stepped a Fulham player.2-2. McAuley was next for Dale.3-2. It went on. Dale missed a few, Fulham missed a few. The tension was unbearable. It came down to two men. It was Boa Morted vs Gilkes. The Dale keeper had to save it. And he did, but no wait he didn't, the ball squirmed away from him and trickled into the net. How unlucky can we be!?

A fine performance by Dale tonight, and one that they can be thoroughly proud. We have played and almost beaten two Premiership clubs now in the past year, both with more money and sense. Lets make sure we all get behind the team again this Saturday, because if we can put up a performance like this again then Division 3 should be no problem whatsoever.

Photo: Action Images

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