Rochdale book Wembley spot

1:00am Sunday 18th May 2008

Rochdale remain on course for their first promotion since 1969 after beating Darlington 5-4 on penalties to progress to the League Two play-off final at Wembley on May 26.

Clark Keltie's controversial 28th-minute penalty put Dave Penney's side 3-1 ahead on aggregate but Rochdale showed tremendous guts to fashion an impressive comeback.

They drew level shortly before half-time through Chris Dagnall and a deflected strike from David Perkins - who was later sent off in extra-time - fired them 2-1 ahead to level the tie at 3-3 with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

That ensured 30 minutes of extra-time and after the sides could not be separated a penalty shoot-out ensued at an emotionally drained Spotland.

Both sides converted their first four spot-kicks and after Rochdale goalkeeper Tommy Lee saved Jason Kennedy's effort, Ben Muirhead stepped up to claim the winning penalty.

Rochdale's long-suffering fans were ecstatic and invaded the pitch in their hundreds as the dream of finally breaking out of the bottom tier of English football moved a huge step closer to reality.

The Lancashire outfit have resided in the bottom division since 1974 - the longest unbroken run in the bottom division of the Football League - but boss Keith Hill has assembled a talented young side who will fancy their chances of Wembley glory.

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