Penney - We deserved it

Darlo chief delighted after late Dale win

Last updated: 10th May 2008

Penney - We deserved it

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Darlington boss Dave Penney believes his side deserved their last-gasp win against Rochdale.

The League Two play-off semi-final first leg was heading for a 1-1 stalemate, when in injury time substitute Ian Miller popped up with a winner.

For the most part the game was an entertaining and close fought affair, but Penney is of the opinion his players shaded proceedings.

"I think we deserved to win really," said Penney.

"I think we were the better side on the whole, especially in the first half when we could have scored a couple more goals.

"It was a great goal from Jason which kept us going. We had the momentum then and could have probably got another one or two before getting pegged back and losing a couple or three through injuries.

"We always knew set-pieces were going to be important today. We worked on a lot this week in training and we ended up getting a goal from one as well."

No complacency

Despite being understandably delighted with the manner of the victory, Penney was quick to warn his players that they are by no means assured of a potentially money spinning trip to Wembley.

"There's still a long, long way to go," Penney added.

"Obviously they'll fancy their chances at their place, but it's a great result for us and gives us something to work on, to build on and we can go to Spotland now and try and get another result.

"Rochdale are a good footballing side, they get it down, they get it wide, they work hard and they cause you problems. I didn't see anything today that I didn't know what was coming."