Match ends, Rochdale 1, Nottingham Forest 0.
RochdaleRochdale1Nottm ForestNottingham Forest0
Peter Vincenti scored from the penalty spot as League One Rochdale knocked Championship outfit Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup at the Spotland.
Dale were awarded the spot-kick after defender Joe Rafferty was tripped by Forest winger Michail Antonio and forward Vincenti duly converted.
The visitors had chances to equalise in the second half but could not find a way past Dale goalkeeper Josh Lillis.
Forest have now won just twice in their last 18 games in all competitions.
And a defeat by a team in a division below them in this third-round tie has put further pressure on Forest manager Stuart Pearce.
Pearce said on Monday his players were fortunate that his status among Forest fans was "shielding" them from heavy criticism.
The former Forest captain, 52, is considered a legend at the City Ground, where he spent 12 years as a player.
However, Pearce's side are now without a win in seven games which has put the manager back into the spotlight.
Forest started brightly with Lillis called into action to block a David Vaughan free-kick, but the home side took the lead in the 12th minute and dominated the rest of the half.
Referee Gary Sutton ruled Antonio had fouled Rafferty in the area, and Vincenti slotted the resulting spot-kick past visiting goalkeeper Dorus de Vries and into the corner of the net.
Vincenti, who now has 11 goals in all competitions this season, had a clear chance to double the lead minutes later but volleyed a Callum Camps cross high and wide.
Just before the break, Matt Done seized on an Eric Lichaj error and rounded goalkeeper De Vries who managed to parry the ball away.
Forest had chances in the second half but Chris Burke glanced a headed attempt wide and Britt Assombalonga was denied firstly by a Lillis save and later a block by defender Ashley Eastham.
Rochdale assistant boss Chris Beech said:
"At 1-0 the game is always on the edge and the lads defended resolutely in the second half.
"We didn't look in too much danger but the Forest players are so talented, there was millions of pounds worth of talent out there, with a massive gap in finance between the clubs and the standard they play at.
"But there was six players in our squad who represented the club in the FA Youth Cup three years ago and for them to play in the FA Cup made me and the management team immensely proud."
Nottingham Forest manager Stuart Pearce said:
"With the effort the players put in, especially in the second half, we deserved something but we're not getting the rub of the green.
"We gifted the opposition a goal with a very soft penalty and our decision-making under pressure has cost us. Apart from that, we've dominated the game and had a host of efforts, but failed to score.
"I don't want to take any credit away from Rochdale. I've played in the FA Cup as a non-league player against league opposition and you take whatever you can get. They are in the next round and good luck to them."
Line-ups
Rochdale
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Lillis
- 2Rafferty
- 5Eastham
- 6Lancashire
- 17Tanser
- 3Bennett
- 28CampsSubstituted forCywkaat 83'minutes
- 26LoganSubstituted forBunneyat 70'minutes
- 24AllenSubstituted forAndrewat 90+3'minutes
- 16Done
- 7Vincenti
Substitutes
- 9Andrew
- 14Hery
- 19Cywka
- 21Musangu
- 25Rose
- 27Cannon
- 39Bunney
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-4-2
- 29de Vries
- 2Lichaj
- 25Hobbs
- 6Wilson
- 13FoxSubstituted forMcLaughlinat 74'minutes
- 27BurkeBooked at 86minsSubstituted forPatersonat 89'minutes
- 32Tesche
- 24Vaughan
- 18Antonio
- 9AssombalongaBooked at 65mins
- 14Veldwijk
Substitutes
- 1Darlow
- 16Lascelles
- 20Laing
- 21Paterson
- 30McLaughlin
- 35Burke
- 38Osborn
- Referee:
- Gary Sutton
- Attendance:
- 6,791
Match Stats
Home TeamRochdaleAway TeamNottm Forest
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away5
- Corners
- Home1
- Away16
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Rochdale 1, Nottingham Forest 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Rochdale. Calvin Andrew replaces Jamie Allen.
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Ashley Eastham.
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Rhys Bennett.
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Josh Lillis.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lars Veldwijk (Nottingham Forest) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Jamie Paterson replaces Chris Burke.
Post update
Foul by Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Scott Tanser (Rochdale) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Booking
Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Tomasz Cywka (Rochdale) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Ashley Eastham.
Substitution
Substitution, Rochdale. Tomasz Cywka replaces Callum Camps because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest).
Post update
Scott Tanser (Rochdale) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Peter Vincenti (Rochdale) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Rochdale. Conceded by Kelvin Wilson.
