Rochdale 1-2 Stockport County: Non-league Hatters stun League One Dale
- Published
FA Cup: Rochdale 1-2 Stockport County highlights
National League side Stockport County held on to pull off an upset to defeat League One club Rochdale and go through to the FA Cup second round.
John Rooney put the Hatters ahead with a strike from inside his own half that caught out Dale keeper Gavin Bazunu.
Alex Reid doubled their lead seven minutes later after turning in from Connor Jennings' long-range shot.
Matty Lund headed home from Alex Newby's cross to put Rochdale back in it but the non-league side held on.
Rooney, brother of Derby County striker and all-time record England goalscorer Wayne, pulled off an audacious strike that echoed that of his sibling's long-range efforts for Manchester United and DC United in the first half.
The victory means that Stockport progress to the second round for the second time in three seasons - however, they almost did not reach the first round at all.
The Hatters were initially knocked out at the fourth qualifying round stage by fellow National League side Chesterfield in October.
But, due to the Spireites being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in that tie, the fixture was replayed earlier this week, with Rooney scoring twice as Stockport won 4-0.