Keeper heroics deny Dale

THORSTEN Stuckman’s brilliant performance for Preston in the penalty shoot-out sent Rochdale out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after a much-improved display by Steve Eyre’s team.

Gary Jones fired Dale ahead in the spot-kick lottery, but Stuckman saved the next three penalties from Andrew Tutte, Ashley Grimes and Brian Barry-Murphy.

Preston scored all four of their penalties to secure a place in the Northen section semi-finals to leave Eyre disappointed with the outcome but cheered by the display.

After an evenly-contested opening 20 minutes, Preston took charge. Juvhel Tsoumou missed a sitter, heading wide from five years, before Adam Barton collected Jonathon Forte’s tee-up to slam a shot into the roof of David Lucas’ net.

The visitors closed the first half on top, but Dale were a different proposition after the interval and levelled seven minutes in.

Barry-Murphy’s quick free-kick into home debutant Harry Bunn saw the striker spin past two defenders before rifling a fierce effort into the far corner of Stuckman’s goal.

Dale closed out the game on top and went close when Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro was denied by that man Stuckman, whose contribution in the shoot-out ultimately proved decisive.

“It was a disappointing outcome, but I’m very encouraged by that second-half performance,” said Eyre.

“We’ve been looking for a performance like that for a while — since the start of the season, in fact.

“It was full of endeavour, quality, passion and drive.

“We worked the opposition’s penalty area and defended our own much better than we did in the first half and despite the result I am very proud of the players.”

Rochdale: Lucas, Darby, Holness, Jordan, Barry-Murphy, Tutte, Kennedy, Jones, Akpa Akpro, Bunn, Eccleston (Grimes, 82). Subs not used: Edwards, Gray, Benali.

Preston: Stuckman, McLaughlin (Alexander, 91), Ashbee (Clark, 73), Carlisle, Morgan, Nicholson, Tsoumou, Barton, Mayor, Parry, Forte. Subs not used: Gray, Arestidou, Zibaka.

Referee: A Haines.