Blackburn 6-1 Rochdale (agg: 7-2)

Damien Duff scored Blackburn's first and last goals

David Dunn scored a hat trick of penalties as Blackburn brushed aside Third Division Rochdale to secure a place in the 2nd round of the Worthington Cup.

On a remarkable night the England under-21 skipper converted three spot-kicks in the space of 18 minutes although the final score line flattered the First Division side.

There was no sign of the Blackburn bombardment early on as Rochdale proved more than a match in the Red Rose derby.

Even after Damien Duff had raced 30 yards to give Rovers the lead in the 27th minute, Rochdale refused to buckle and giant striker Clive Platt forced an equaliser with a smart finish from close range.

Matt Jansen had a goal disallowed for off-side before the tide was turned on its head with a controversial penalty award in first half injury time.

Penalty

Lee Todd was adjudged to have fouled Jansen inside the box and Dunn made no mistake with the penalty.

Jansen was fouled again this time by Dave Bayliss nine minutes into the second half with Dunn again proving himself up to the task of scoring from the spot.

Two minutes later Blackburn's French striker Kaba Diawara raced clear of a static Rochdale defence to score Rovers fourth and his first for the club but the misery was far from over for the Spotland outfit.

A third penalty, awarded for a foul by Wayne Evans on Duff was slotted home in style by Dunn and right at the death Duff rolled home number six after a flowing four man move.

Rochdale could feel aggrieved to have suffered a defeat of such humiliating proportions after giving a good account of themselves early on, but this tie will be remembered for one man, Dunn, who managed the rare feat of scoring a hat-trick of penalties.

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Blackburn Rovers: Kelly, Curtis, Broomes, M. Taylor, Bjornebye, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Jansen, Diawara, Carsley. Subs: Dailly, Kenna, Johnson, Ostenstad, Miller.

Rochdale: Edwards, Evans, Hill, Ware, Oliver, Todd, Ford, Davies, Bayliss, Jones, Platt. Subs: Monington, Flitcroft, Hadland, Walsh, Priestley.

Referee: W Burns (Scarborough).