Bird swoops to keep Dale flying high

FIRST-HALF goals from Jay Bird and Tarryn Allarakhia ensured Rochdale moved into the FA Trophy semi-finals in this hard-fought local derby at the Crown Oil Arena.

- Mark Rooney

Exeter loanee Bird swooped to put Dale in front on 14 minutes before Allarakhia powered home Kyron Gordon's cross to double the advantage and, ultimately, see Jim McNulty's side to within one tie of a trip to Wembley in only their second FA Trophy campaign.

"The players were amazing," McNulty said, "I thought we came out at it from the off.

"First half was an excellent performance; a multitude of opportunities, intense defensively, we were together and had attacking quality. Second half was about guts and I was very proud that they dug deep."

An entertaining game began at a blistering pace with plenty of enterprise shown by both sides.