Dale are through to the next round in the Vans trophy following a 2-0 win over Conference side Southport at Spotland. Clive Platt and Gary Jones with the Dale goals.

With such an important game this weekend for Dale at Luton, it was felt by many that the time was upon us to rest such first team regulars as Gary Jones and Clive Platt, but Steve Parkin went for a first choice line-up pretty much, signalling his intentions that the LDV trophy will be taken seriously once again by Dale this season.

Hahnemann kept his place in net, and the defence saw the return of McAuley who completed the back four of Evans, Griffiths and Jobson. Michael Oliver was missing from the midfield and in his place was Flitcroft. Doughty started on the left wing in place of Durkan. Platt and Townson led the forward line.

Considering we had such a good time out, the performance was far from satisfactory, but the job was well done in a professional manner, and we won which is the important. All credit to Southport for making a game of it though, with better finishing the game could of easily swung their way.

Dale's chances were at a minimum and the ones we had found the back of the net. Clive Platt got the first following an excellent cross from the left which he rose to head home. Dale had to wait until the end of the second half for a second goal. It came from a Gary Jones penalty, following a foul on Dale sub Patrick McCourt.

All in all not a good performance but we got the job done. Parkin seems to want to do well in this competition this year following last season's early exit at Doncaster Rovers. Lets just hope him playing a full side does not affect the way things go on Saturday in what is our biggest game of the season so far at Luton.

Photo: Action Images

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