Half-Time Report: Donal McDermott gives Rochdale lead against Coventry City

Donal McDermott has scored on the stroke of half time as Rochdale lead their League Cup first-round clash with Coventry City.

Dale looked to get off to a fast start, with Jamie Allen blazing an early shot over the bar before Peter Vincenti fired wide for the hosts on 13 minutes.

Soon after Ian Henderson squandered another chance for the hosts as his close-range strike was blocked by the Sky Blues defence.

Midway through the first half, Oliver Lancashire then headed narrowly wide for Dale who, like Coventry, won their opening League One fixture of the season on Saturday.

City had their best chance of the opening half hour as Marcus Tudgay brought a solid save out of Josh Lillis.

Lillis was again in action on 33 minutes, keeping out Sam Ricketts as Coventry appeared to settle into the game.

Minutes before the interval, it was Rochdale who almost snatched a half-time lead as McDermott's shot from distance was tipped away by Reice Charles-Cook.

However, McDermott did find a way past Charles-Cook in the final minute of the half as his driven shot found the top corner.