Rochdale produced one of the shocks of The FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round as they knocked out Championship giants Leeds United.
A goal apiece for Scott Hogan and Ian Henderson saw the League Two side deservedly progress to the Fourth Round on a memorable day at Spotland.
The Dale had been taken over pre-match as an army of over 3,400 Leeds fans descended over the Pennines, and they ensured the atmosphere was at fever pitch as kick-off approached.
Rochdale 2-0 Leeds United
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Third Round Proper
Saturday 4 January 2014
Spotland
The home fans battled back with roars of their own and their team responded during the opening exchanges as they took the game to the visitors.
Seven minutes in they had the ball in the net, Joe Bunney finishing past Paddy Kenny in the net, but an offside flag soon quelled the roars from the Rochdale faithful.
The hosts continued to strike on the break and Peter Vincenti collected the ball down the right to set Scott Hogan free on goal on 16 minutes, but the forward's right-footed strike was well saved by Kenny.
Brian McDermott's side were enjoying plenty of possession and won several set-pieces, but they were struggling to create a clear-cut opening, meanwhile Rochdale were continuing to bang on the door.
On the half-hour mark Matthew Lund sliced the Leeds defence in two as he expertly played Hogan through on goal, but the striker seemed to delay shooting as Kenny approached, and the keeper was able to race out and block the shot.
As the fourth official held up the board to show two additional minutes, Rochdale had one last bullet in the trigger, and they deservedly hit the target.
With just seconds remaining the ever-dangerous Vincenti whipped in a cross from the right and Hogan rose highest to head home to spark wild celebrations.
Video highlights from the game at Spotland.
Fans around the press box spoke of an expected Alamo-style onslaught from Leeds after the break, but Dale started on the front foot again with Hogan keen to add to his tally.
Just under 10 minutes into the half Leeds did look to have equalised - Matt Smith rising to meet a Danny Pugh corner, but his back-post header was cleared off the line by the resilient home defence.
A mad minute ensued on 68 as both teams went close. Firstly, Ian Henderson latched onto a long ball and bundled past Marius Zaliukas to go clear on goal, but once again Kenny raced out to clear upfield.
Seconds later, Leeds striker Ross McCormack curled an effort millimetres wide from 20 yards.
As the final 15 minutes approached the tie was still evenly keeled with Leeds dominating possession but Rochdale looking dangerous on the break.
In fact they should have sealed the victory through Vincenti - the winger firing wide with the goal gaping on 78 minutes.
Three minutes later and he had another chance - Hogan cutting the ball back for him to strike from 10 yards - but Kenny pulled off a marvellous save to prevent him.
It was all Rochdale as the Leeds defence was all over the shop and they were rewarded on 84 minutes as Spotland went crazy.
Graham Cummins had the ball on the right and floated the ball towards Ian Henderson inside the area. The big striker capped a man of the match performance with a delicate first-time strike that whistled into the top corner - and it was nothing more than he and his team deserved.
The match was featured game on TheFA.com's Road to Wembley - tune in on Monday to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the day.
Rochdale
1 Josh Lillis, 3 Rhys Bennett, 4 Peter Cavanagh (c), 6 Oliver Lancashire, 7 Peter Vincenti, 11 Scott Hogan, 12 Matthew Lund, 16 Matt Done, 22 Jack O'Connell, 39 Joe Bunney (29 Graham Cummins 71 mins), 40 Ian Henderson.
Substitutes not used: 21 Robbie Thomson, 2 Joe Rafferty, 5 Ashley Eastham 9 George Donnelly, 24 Jamie Allen, 38 Gary Dicker.
Leeds United
1 Paddy Kenny, 2 Lee Peltier, 5 Jason Pearce, 6 Luke Murphy, 8 Rodolph Austin (c), 16 Danny Pugh, 20 Matt Smith, 22 Scott Hootton (10 Noel Hunt 76 mins), 24 Marius Zaliukas, 25 Sam Byram, 44 Ross McCormack.
Substitutes not used: 4 Tom Lees, 17 Michael Brown, 18 Michael Tonge, 26 Dom Poleon, 27 Gboly Ariyibi, 33 Alex Cairns.
