Penalty shoot-out heartache for Darlington

3:03pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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DARLINGTON will not be going to Wembley after they were beaten by Rochdale in a penalty shoot-out.

Dale remain on course for their first promotion since 1969 after beating Darlington 5-4 on penalties to progress to the League Two play-off final.

Clark Keltie's controversial 28th-minute penalty put Dave Penney's side 3-1 ahead on aggregate, but Rochdale dug in to mount a comeback.

They drew level shortly before half-time through Chris Dagnall and a deflected strike from David Perkins - who was later sent off in extra-time - fired them 2-1 ahead to level the tie at 3-3 with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

That ensured 30 minutes of extra-time and after the sides could not be separated a penalty shoot-out ensued at an emotionally drained Spotland.

Both sides converted their first four spot-kicks and after Rochdale goalkeeper Tommy Lee saved Jason Kennedy's effort, Ben Muirhead stepped up to claim the winning penalty.

The Lancashire outfit have resided in the bottom division since 1974 - the longest unbroken run in the bottom division of the Football League, but now have a chance of Wembley glory.

They carved out a golden opportunity inside the second minute which was spurned.

Adam Rundle flighted a perfectly-weighted cross from the left flank and Dagnall powered a header wastefully over the crossbar from little more than six yards.

It proved costly as Darlington opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Keltie curled in a deep free-kick to the far post and on-loan Peterborough striker Rene Howe challenged Darlington midfielder Kennedy.

Contact looked minimal but referee Richard Beeby pointed straight to the penalty spot and showed Howe a yellow card.

Keltie dispatched the penalty ruthlessly with a right-foot strike into the top corner but Dale drew level three minutes before the break when Rundle's whipped free-kick was bundled in by Dagnall at the near post.

The goal poured confidence into Rochdale as they came out for the second half but they were fortunate to survive in the 47th minute when Keltie struck the crossbar with a long-range shot.

A minute later Ricky Ravenhill was booked for simulation and with the momentum behind Rochdale, the hosts forged ahead in the 78th minute.

Perkins collected possession 25 yards from goal, advanced forward and struck a fierce left-foot shot which deflected off Kennedy and past goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Perkins was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Ravenhill in the 109th minute but Dale held on in the closing stages to take the tie to penalties.

Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, Rob Purdie, Neil Wainwright and Ravenhill all scored for Darlington but their fifth spot-kick from Kennedy was saved by Lee.

And Muirhead was left to take the glory after Dagnall, Tom Kennedy, Adam Le Fondre and Gary Jones had previously scored.