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Holly Davenport's stoppage-time winner secured Dale a place in the next qualifying round of the Women's FA Cup.
It was looking unlikely when Penwortham Town raced into an early two-goal lead, however Sophie Coates’ brace drew Dale level before Davenport scored to send Dale through.
Penwortham took an early lead as Robyn Wojnarowski broke clear and scored.
The response was promising from Dale, captain Alicia Barnett sent Coates through who went for a lobbed finish which dropped just wide.
Coates was soon in the thick of it again, this time finding herself clean through on goal, but her placed shot was saved well by Penwortham goalkeeper Bethany Kirby.
Eleanor Seals had the next opportunity for Dale but sent her shot wide.
Penwortham scored a second against the run of play. A ball from the left was helped on by Wojnarowski and on to the unfortunate Phoebe Duckworth who turned it into her own goal.
Coates sent Gracie Smith through and her placed shot forced Kirby into an excellent last-ditch save.
Having had to remain patient for a goal, Coates scored just before the half-hour mark. A whipped in corner was helped towards goal by Jones, only to see it come off the crossbar and bounce on the goal line. Fortunately for Dale, it fell nicely to Coates who smashed in to get Dale a goal back.
Smith looked destined to score as she raced one-on-one with the Penwortham goalkeeper, whose touch on the low shot allowed a defender to get back and hook the ball off the line.
Smith was allowed space to receive the ball from Coates and try and find the corner but sent her shot wide.
Holly Davenport was introduced at the start of the second half and claimed an assist within five minutes, sending a free kick into the middle which found Coates at the back post who scored to bring Dale level.
Barnett forced Kirby into a fine save as she hooked the ball on target, but the goalkeeper got back and tipped it wide.
With four minutes remaining, Coates showed her pace to get a touch past a defender and break clear, but her shot was saved down low by Kirby.
Dale substitute Angela Egbon also had a chance to score; she was played through by Coates, but Penwortham goalkeeper Kirby saved to deny Dale again.
As the game looked destined to head to penalties, up stepped Davenport to stride clear, stay composed, and score effortlessly for the match winner and send Dale into the second qualifying round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Dale XI | Simpson (64′ Jackson), Seals, Duckworth, Jones (45′ Makin), Whyte (45′ Davenport), Barnett (c) (82′ Egbon), Moran, Coates, Mackie (71′ Taylor), Strudwick.
Unused subs | Keating.
Scorers | 27′ 50′ Coates, 90′ Davenport.
