TEENAGE substitute Patrick McCourt guided Rochdale into the FA Cup Third Round and a visit to Preston early in the new year.

Dale failed to start where they had left off on Saturday and their early lethargy was punished by Rovers skipper Adam Barrett on 23 minutes.

Goals either side of the break by Clive Platt, his third in as many games and Paul Connor settled the nerves only for a dreadful Wayne Evans error to gift the visitors a Paul Tate equaliser.

But McCourt then popped up to win the match with 10 minutes to go after a good through ball by loanee Gavin Melaugh.

Financial boost

Dale player/manager Paul Simpson admitted "We haven't played well but the only thing that matters was getting through to the next round. It's what we needed not just in terms of being a further moral booster but for the obvious financial reasons too.''

McCourt has not had the impact he would have wanted this season after a series of niggling injuries but his goal had the hallmark of class and drew praise from his boss.

"I've been drumming it into Patrick's brain all season that I want shots and crosses from him. I don't want nice runs that get people on the edge of their seats but saying that then `that was a near thing' ''.

"I was so pleased with the way he slotted the ball home. When he does things like that people can't live with him and I don't just mean in the Third Division. He glides past people beautifully and has so much ability.''

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