ROCHDALE may have hit Chester City for six in midweek but that did not stop Keith Hill trying to strengthen his forward line ahead of today’s home game against Aldershot.

Hill had targeted a proven League Two goalscorer and Dale submitted a substantial bid for the experienced player.

The bid was knocked back, but the search continues.

"We’ve no new signing to report but the ongoing process of trying to improve the squad will continue," said the Dale boss. "I feel it’s important we get someone in to give us competition for places. The squad is a different standard now to when we took over, and it’s important that development process continues."

Rochdale produced some mouthwatering football on Tuesday in their demolition of Simon Davies’ side, Chris Dagnall leading the way with a hat-trick.

Fellow frontmen Lee Thorpe and Adam Le Fondre were also among the scorers, meaning Dale go into this afternoon’s match brimming with confidence despite Hill being unable to strengthen the forward line.

Youngsters Will Buckley and Joe Thompson both caught the eye against Chester and demonstrated the value of Hill’s managerial philosophy in nurturing home-grown talent at the club.

"I’m not here to prove anything to anybody but myself," said Hill. "I think the proof is in our pudding – we’ve played 82 games and won 40 of them, so there is value to what we are trying to achieve.

"We want to nurture young players like Will Buckley and Joe Thompson, but it’s important that we do it in a winning environment for there is no better experience than playing in first-team matches.

"We have good young players at the club, and it’s great that we are able to give them live game time. Nurturing young talent takes patience and time.

"We have both short-term and long-term plans at the club, and in the short-term we need to create a winning environment because ultimately it’s the fans who decide the fate of the manager and whether he stays around to see the long-term job through.

"Regardless how many times the chairman and the directors tell us they are fully behind what we are trying to do, it’s ultimately down to the supporters and their backing."

The heavy rainfall this week would have concerned Hill 12 months ago – but he insists the much-improved drainage system at Spotland will mean it’s game on against the Shots today.

"A year ago the game may have been in doubt, given the amount of rain we’ve had this week," he said. "But the drainage is as good as ever and the surface held up really well on Tuesday. Last season we had four home games postponed, but I have more confidence in the pitch this year."

The draw for the first round proper of the FA Cup takes place at 1pm on Sunday with ties to be played the weekend of 7,8,9 November. The draw will be screened live on ITV1 with Dale ball number 38.