Rochdale 2-1 Chesterfield: Dale into third round thanks to Lewis Alessandra strike

Rochdale progressed to the third round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 2-1 win over Chesterfield at Spotland.

In a first half thoroughly dominated by the home side, Peter Vincenti sent an early chance over the crossbar before Scott Tanser fired the home side ahead in the 18th minute.

He raced on to Matt Lund's pass and blasted into the roof of Tommy Lee's net with the help of a deflection off Chesterfield defender Charlie Raglan.

Dale had chances to double their advantage before the break but Vincenti headed a Lund cross over and later fired wide when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's centre found him unmarked at the back post.

Chesterfield offered more in the second half with the introduction of Jay O'Shea and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

Still, the home side continued to pose the greater threat, Mendez-Laing testing Lee with a couple of fierce drives.

The visitors equalised against the run of play in the 65th minute when Ebanks-Blake's near-post delivery was bundled into the net by Dale defender Ashley Eastham.

But the home side restored their lead within a minute, Lewis Alessandra flashing a low shot beyond Lee from 10 yards.

Chesterfield had a late chance to take the game to penalties but Mani Dieseruwe wastefully sent a header wide in the closing minutes.