Rochdale 0-2 Luton
Luton go into the second round to face League Two Rotherham
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By Michael Younger. |  |
Wednesday, 11, Nov 2009 09:54
By Matt Hallam
Blue Square Premier Luton dumped League Two Rochdale out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win in their first-round replay at Spotland Stadium.
Rochdale dominated the game and created a number of chances. However they failed find the net and were punished after an hour when Kevin Gallen put Luton into the lead against the run of play.
The former QPR striker added his second 15 minutes later as he secured a second round tie at League Two Rotherham for the 1959 finalists.
Rochdale keeper Kenny Arthur missed the game with a back injury and was replaced by 16-year-old Danny Taberner.
Luton captain Kevin Nicholls returned to the starting line-up after recovering from a hip injury, however, Steve Basham, who scored twice in Saturday's 3-3 draw missed out through injury.
Rochdale were immediately on the attack when Thomas Kennedy picked up a long ball from the back to hit a fierce shot from a tight angle in the left which was parried to safety by Shane Gore.
Chris O'Grady then latched onto Adam Rundle's cross but saw his shot deflected wide by George Pilkington.
The League Two side continued to put their visitors under pressure and forced Gore to make another save at his near post when Chris Dagnall slipped a ball through to Rundle on the right of the box.
Luton struggled to maintain much possession with poor passing allowing Rochdale to pin them back into their own half, however, they were almost gifted a goal when Rory McArdle under hit his pass back. Debutant keeper Taberner got a foot to the ball to save his defenders blushes though.
Rochdale continued to pressure the Luton goal before half-time but couldn't find a way past Gore who saved Rundell's 20-yard drive before tipping Dagnall's header over the bar.
Luton were given no time to settle after the break with Dagnall rattling the bar with a dipping drive before having a shot from the left of the box saved.
The visitors almost took an unlikely lead minutes later when Craig Dawson deflected Nicholls corner onto the post.
Rochdale carried all the attacking threat though with Joe Thompson heading wide from six yards before Dagnall went through one-
on-one with Gore, only to shoot straight at the Luton keeper.
And they were left to rue their misses on the hour mark when Kevin Gallen turned in Tom Craddock's low cross from the left at the near post.
Rochdale struggled to compose themselves after going behind and allowed Luton to double their lead with poor defending from a corner. Taberner made an excellent save from Pilkington at the back post, but the ball fell straight to Gallen who was on hand to tap in his second of the game.
The League Two side tried in vain to find a way back into the game but couldn't find the goal with Craig Dawson and substitute Macus Magna both heading wide in the closing stages.