Daisy Hill’s hopes of progress in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy were ended in the First Round after falling to a 2-0 defeat at home to Rochdale of the Vanarama National League on Monday night, writes Ian Templeman.

After a goalless first half, an own goal and a good finish from Rochdale striker Lucas Bispo Martinez in the space of two minutes early in the second half put a Rochdale side comprising mainly youth team players in control.

A chance to get back into the game was missed midway through the second half when a Malick Tanou penalty was saved by Rochdale keeper Lennon MacLorg, and afterwards Daisy manager Lee Hill admitted he was disappointed in the final result after a promising opening from his side.

“We made a few changes from Saturday, rested a few players and gave some game time to others, but overall I felt we were a little bit flat tonight”, said Hill.

“We expected Rochdale would be a good technical side, and they were, but in the first half I don’t think they caused us too many problems and it was a fairly even first half.

“They played nice football and kept the ball well, you could see they were well drilled and well organised, but I felt we had them contained to a degree.

“The first goal was disappointing, and that is the risk you have got sometimes under floodlights and in wet conditions, when a corner kick swings straight in.

“It was a disappointing goal to concede and it took the wind out of our sails a little bit.

“They cut us open nicely for the second goal, no complaints about that, and they were good value for the lead and overall were the better side on the night.

“We didn’t get tight enough to them at times, were probably half a yard off them at times, and didn’t impose ourselves enough in the second half”.

Daisy are back in action in the North West Counties League First Division North on Saturday when they host Holker Old Boys, kick off 3 pm.