Calvin Andrew’s injury-time header ensured Dale ran out 2-1 winners in a contest badly affected by a sub-standard playing surface.

Dale travel to the Coral Windows Stadium looking to climb back up the table having been without a victory since their 4-1 triumph over Colchester United in December.

League One side Oldham are mulling the signing of former Manchester City and Sheffield United player Ched Evans, who served half of a five-year sentence for raping a woman in a hotel in May 2011 before his release last year.

Peter Vincenti’s early penalty was enough to secure Dale’s place in the hat for the next round after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, with many on social media quick to point out the role played by a number of Rochdale’s youth academy graduates in securing the victory.

Rochdale inflicted a fifth straight defeat upon Colchester thanks to goals from Matty Lund, Peter Vincenti, Ian Henderson and Jack O’Connell at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Dale manager Keith Hill is in a positive frame of mind as they continue their frenetic Christmas period against Colchester United on Saturday, buoyed by the availability of key figures as his side attempt to bounce back from a dip in form and return to the play-off spots.

The last meeting between the two was in April 2013 when Oldham’s Lee Johnson bested his father Gary, winning 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Matt Smith.

Manager Keith Hill could only name five players on the bench for the second round tie, with three members of his team succumbing to a virus the evening prior to the game.

Dale will travel to Aldershot Town having defeated Northampton town in the previous round, with Olly Lancashire’s late winner settling the replay at Spotland Stadium.

Dale were undone by two strikes from Daniel Johnson and a Jonathan Forte penalty in front of over 7,000 spectators at a bouncing Spotland Stadium on Saturday.

Dale picked up an impressive point when drawing 2-2 at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday but have been plagued by suspensions and injuries to key first team players in recent weeks.