Rushden peg back Rochdale
Both teams began with attacking line-ups and created chances, however it was the visitors who took the early advantage.
David Flitcroft found Lee McEvilly with a superbly weighted through-ball for the striker to beat Billy Turley with a low shot after eight minutes.
Rushden pushed forward in search of their equaliser and deservedly levelled matters when Stuart Wardley powered home a header on 33 minutes, after Paul Hall floated a free kick into the box.
Just when the home side looked like taking the lead for the first time Paul Simpson fired Dale back in front just before the hour mark.
Simpson noticed Turley slightly off his line and blasted home an unstoppable shot past the keeper into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Just when it looked like the Lancashire side might take a slender advantage back to Spotland, Rushden's longest-severing player Gary Butterworth equalised with only 17 minutes to go.
Just moments after midfielder Andy Burgess hit the bar, Butterworth volleyed home the equaliser after 'Dale failed to clear a free-kick.
The visitors almost secured a last minute priceless victory, however Turley denied substitute Kevin Townsend with a superb world-class save.
Despite Butterworth earning a share of the spoils for Rushden, Rochdale will surely feel they have done enough to push home their advantage in the return leg next week.
