Rochdale made an early exit from this season's FA Cup as they were beaten 1-0 by League One side Brentford. Full match report and player ratings are now online.

Rochdale made a quick exit from this seasons FA Cup as they were beaten 1-0 by League One side Brentford.  As we exit the Cup, it's time to bring out the old cliché, we can now concentrate on the league.  It was a very even game but the decider came when Alan Goodall brought down Paul Brooker for a penalty which was converted by Kevin O'Connor just before half time.

Steve Parkin made a change to the side that lost and played very poorly against Lincoln City.  Lee Cartwright was dropped from the starting eleven and Tommy Jaszczun came into the side.  He took up his position on the left wing with Jamie Clarke playing on the right wing. 

The visitors nearly took the lead after what seemed about a minute when the very impressive Jay Tabb had a curling effort which looked to be going in to the point where I said "Great goal" before it crashed against the crossbar.  From that point I felt we were going to get battered and although we were beaten, we were far from battered.

Rickie Lambert had a poor game but with less than ten minutes gone, he played a fabulous pass through to Jones who looked like he should have scored but was outfought by the defence and the ball rolled through to Nelson.

With about twenty minutes gone, I saw one of the best tackles I've ever seen.  When people mention great tackles, they'll mention Bobby Moore against Brazil but Alan Goodall will get mentioned if the question is ever asked to me.  Isaiah Rankin broke through the defence and with Gallimore struggling to keep up with the quick front man, it looked destined for a goal.  That was until Alan Goodall came out of nowhere, dived in and got the ball brilliantly, thus removing any danger.  Had Goodall not timed his tackle to perfection, Rankin may not be playing football again and Goodall may not be playing the next three games.

That said, he was at fault for what turned out to be the Brentford winner just before half time.  The ball wasn't cleared and Paul Brooker picked the ball up, made a dash for goal and Alan Goodall mistimed this tackle to send Brooker flying and the referee pointed to the spot.  Kevin O'Connor stepped up to take the penalty and dispatched it well though Gilks did get a hand to it.  Slightly harsh on Dale who had battled well and deserved to be level going into the half time break but nonetheless, it was 1-0 to Brentford.

The second half was another even encounter but with just over five minutes of the half gone, Brentford had the ball in the back of the net again but there was a foul on Gilks and the referee disallowed it to the disappointment of the travelling support.

Rochdale got into the game more and had Brentford on the back foot for long periods in the game and Grant Holt almost got Rochdale an equaliser but his effort went over the bar.  Ernie Cooksey went close just after that but his shot was well saved by Nelson.

Alan Goodall went agonisingly close to getting the equaliser after he bombed forward to receive a lovely ball from Jones who had linked up well with Holt but Goodall's shot went centimetres wide of the far post.

Despite my desperate pleas for the referee to ignore the fourth official holding the board up for Paul Tait to come on, he entered the field of play.  Now to my huge surprise, he played very well indeed and had two chances cleared off the line.

A corner came in from Clarke and Tait rose like a salmon to get his head to it and his header was heading for the far corner until it was headed off the line.  Minutes later and he had a shot cleared off the line when a goalmouth scramble was blocked on the line by a desperate defender.  Just think, Tait could have scored two goals today, the same amount of league goals he scored all season last term. Well done Paul, please prove me wrong!

The game finished 1-0 to Brentford and Rochdale can count themselves unlucky not to still be in the FA Cup.  It's a return to the league now as we take on Bristol Rovers on Saturday at 2pm at the Memorial Ground.

Player Ratings:

Matt Gilks 7 Did well yesterday, didn't have too much to deal with but looked a lot more steady

Warren Goodhind 7 Good performance from Goodhind.  Got stuck in very well and his link up play with the forwards was good for the most part

Tommy Jaszczun 5 Not impressive at left wing and his touch let him down.  Overall poor I though

Rory McArdle 7 Good game for young Rory today after a poor performance last week.  Looked a lot more assured and confident.

Tony Gallimore 6 Not the best performance from Gallimore but according to Jangleberry, it was Gilks' fault anyway!

Jamie Clarke 7 Good game for Clarkey overall on the right wing, passing was off at times though

ALAN GOODALL 7 Made the single greatest tackle ever seen which automatically means he doesn't drop below 7.  He attacked very well and caused problems but gave away the penalty.  Sure I will forgive him though.

Gary Jones 7 Again was everywhere on the pitch and put in a good show

ERNIE COOKSEY 6 Not as good today despite a hard working performance

Rickie Lambert 5 Another lacklustre performance from one of our key players.

Grant Holt 7 Another good showing from Holt who could have bagged a couple.  Caused dodgy Sodje a few problems

Sub:  

Blair Sturrock 6 Worked hard but touch and finishing was off

Scott Warner 6 Didn't really notice him when he came on

Paul Tait 7 Came on and nearly won the game having two efforts cleared off the line!  Did very well and I would hope for more of the same but I'm not that naive

Photo: Action Images

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