Darlington started the better of the two sides and Wiseman almost scored following a run through the entire Dale side. Rochdale almost gained an undeserved lead when Dagnall hit the bar from just outside the area on 8 minutes. Darlington counted the corner that followed and Cummins had a point blank chance blocked by the Dale goalkeeper.

Rochdale started coming into the game but were failing to get any meaningful efforts in on goal.  The first 25 minutes had past by this point and it was hardly a thrilling spectacle due to the midfield battle.

Then, out of nowhere, Jason Kennedy opened the scoring after breaking free of the defence with a brilliant touch. He sent a beautiful curling shot around the Dale goalkeeper and it was 1-0 to Darlington. It was a lead that was probably deserved because Darlington had been the better side up until that point.

Rochdale had a small spell of possession but did nothing with it yet again. It was easy to see why Darlo had kept 24 clean sheets all season. Any attack that Dale went on was quickly snuffed out by the defence and the sides went into half time with Darlo holding the advantage.

The second half started with Darlington headed a free kick over the bar. The second half was proving similar to the first, Rochdale having plenty of possession but without really going anywhere. The only time early on that Dale had a look in was when Dagnall shot across goal and out for a goalkick.

20 minutes of the second half and Rochdale were still enjoying the lions-share of the possession but Darlington were starting to get some chances. Wright got in two efforts before being replaced by Wainwright and Holness replaced D'Lareya for the visitors. Rochdale's shocking defending gave Darlington a few more chances, one of which was volleyed straight at Lee by Wainwright.

Then Rochdale did "a Darlington" and scored completely out of nowhere. The ball fell to him and he shot from 25 yards, it took deflection off of Foster and Stockdale was motionless as it entered the net. It was a goal that they had arguably deserved due to their second half possession. Muirhead came on for Rochdale.

Rochdale were looking the more likely to score another goal as McArdle and Muirhead both had chances cleared inside the 6 yard area following a corner. Howe just failed to get to a Muirhead cross before Parker was replaced by N'Dungu-N'Sungu for Darlo. The game entered the final 10 minutes when Le Fondre came on for Dagnall.

The game was into added on time when a Darlington free kick was pumped into the box and Miller beat everyone to head over Lee and give Darlington a rather undeserved lead. Howe wasted a one-on-one against Stockdale but that was the final chance of the game and Darlington take a 2-1 lead to Spotland next Saturday.