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Dale's cup incentive

Jonathan Greaney
10/12/2002

PAUL Simpson says Rochdale could have no better incentive to win their FA Cup second round replay against Bristol Rovers than the prospect of a derby with Preston North End.

Rochdale and Bristol Rovers will be battling for a trip to Deepdale when the teams face each other again at Spotland next Tuesday.

"We don't really need an incentive to beat Bristol Rovers but we've been given one with the possibility of playing against Preston," Simpson said.

"It would be a great opportunity to go to a club from a higher division, and with it being local we would hopefully get quite a few supporters there and build a good atmosphere. But we've got to beat Bristol Rovers first, and there are four league games to play before the third round, so if we do get to play Preston, it would be nice to do it on the back of three or four league wins."

Rochdale thought an early goal from Clive Platt on Saturday would help them through to the third round. But it wasn't to be as Bradley Allen popped up with a second half equaliser. Nevertheless, Simpson was reasonably happy with the performance.

"After a good early goal I thought that we defended solidly," he said. "They put us under pressure but we didn't expect to come to Bristol, where they are scrapping for everything, and get an easy game. I was pleased with the way we dealt with them up until the goal when we had several chances to clear the danger but didn't. But I'm never going to be happy with conceding a goal.

"Obviously we have to take the replay and whether or not we are happy with it we have to accept not winning the game at the first attempt. But I'm sure the directors will be fairly pleased because it means another game, another gate and therefore a few more 'bob'."

He added: "The supporters were fantastic.They made a long journey to be there andI am delighted that they didn't go back up the motorway as a beaten set of fans."

Meanwhile, midfielder Chris Beech is battling for fitness in time for Dale's home game against Hartlepool on Saturday. Beech missed the trip to Bristol with a calf strain.