Hill in a warning to Dale

SPOTLAND witnessed one debacle this week and Keith Hill is determined to avoid another this evening when the FC United bandwagon rolls into town.

Rochdale entertain Karl Marginson’s men in the first round of the FA Cup just three days after the postponement of the derby clash against Athletic, when referee Tony Bates left thousands of travelling Latics fans bewildered by his decision to start a game that lasted just six minutes.

There will be another big crowd at Spotland tonight and Rochdale manager Hill is determined Dale will not be left with egg on their faces by underestimating their opponents.

"It could be a banana skin and that’s why ESPN are covering the game,” he said. “It’s as big a game as we could possibly get at this stage of the competition.

"The whole of the media spotlight will be focused on us and we need to make sure we do not get caught up in everything surrounding the match.

"But if we play to the best of our ability and FC United play to the best of their ability then, with the greatest of respect to them, we should win the game.

“They have got good resources, a great home crowd at Gigg Lane and a fan base that allows them to get the best players available at that level.”

While FC United go into the match as firm underdogs, Dale will be welcoming the £67,000 pick-up from ESPN’s coverage just as much as the Rebels, and a further £18,000 for getting through the first round would not go amiss.