ROCHDALE manager Keith Hill has admitted there was pressure on him to beat Slough Town in the FA Cup.

The Dale arrived at Arbour Park for Monday's second round tie 82 places above The Rebels in the football pyramid.

The League One club eventually won the match 4-0, but Slough had chances to cause an upset and Hill admits his team could have controlled things better.

He told the Observer: “We dealt with the situation very well in the end, but we could have controlled the game a bit better in terms of the way we should have played.

“We prepared well in the week and I’m pleased that we’re through to the next round.

“There seems to be a little bit more pressure on me to make sure that we get through these early stages of the FA Cup because of the revenue.

“We want that revenue to support our opportunities to be successful in League One.

“The first goal was a good one, there’s no question about that, but in the first half our midfield players ended up too deep.

Slough Observer:

Slough look to keep the ball against Rochdale (blue).

“They were receiving the ball from the back four in negative areas of the pitch which allowed Slough to re-group and get into two banks of four.

“I wanted us to play quicker, make sure we play the ball higher up the pitch and penetrate their weaknesses, or what we perceived to be the weakest part of their game.”

Commenting on man-of-the-match Calvin Andrew, he added: “It’s amazing what happens when you sign a new contract.

“We just felt that when playing Matthew Done down the centre of the pitch the ball was coming back too much.

“Matthew is a runner, a player who gets on the end of things, but Calvin is playing that target man role very well at the moment. He has been excellent playing down the centre of the pitch.”

The reward for Rochdale is a third round tie away at fellow League One club Doncaster Rovers, and Hill believes it is a good opportunity for both sides.

He said: “I know Darren Ferguson (manager) really well. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and the way he wants to play the game.

“There is potential for both sides to go through to the next round.”