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Rochdale vs Swindon Town. The FA Cup First Round.

SpotlandAttendance2,060.

Rochdale 3

  • N Mendez-Laing (24th minute, 46th minute, 69th minute pen)

Swindon Town 1

  • N Ajose (71st minute pen)

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing sinks Swindon as Rochdale progress

Peter Vincenti of Rochdale
Image: Rochdale are through

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing's hat-trick secured Rochdale a place in the second round as they beat Swindon 3-1.

The home side took the lead in the 24th minute when Michael Rose's corner was headed up into the air by Mendez-Laing and dropped onto the crossbar.

Mendez-Laing was first to the rebound and he headed through a crowded six-yard box to find the net.

This was Martin Ling's first game since his return to management after a spell out of the game with a stress-related illness and his side went close when Jon Obika fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

Mendez-Laing scored his second within a minute of the restart.

Peter Vincenti's charge into the area was halted by Adam El-Abd but the ball ran loose to Mendez-Laing and he thumped it into the roof of the net.

And Mendez-Laing completed his hat-trick with a penalty in the 69th minute following a foul by Raphael Branco on Joe Bunney.

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Nicky Ajose pulled one back from the spot a minute later after Scott Tanser brought down Bradley Barry.

Ajose thought he had reduced the arrears in the 85th minute only to see his effort ruled offside.

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