A rare moment of Championship quality from Ben Thompson earned Millwall a scarcely deserved replay against League One strugglers Rochdale.
With the match about to enter stoppage time, Thompson snuck into the area unchallenged and swept home a Steve Morison cross to deny Rochdale a first guaranteed appearance in the fifth round since 2003.
That goal was rough justice on Keith Hill’s side who pressed forward at every opportunity throughout an absorbing contest at The Den.
Not even falling behind to a 17th-minute Jed Wallace penalty, after Donervon Daniels dragged Millwall’s Fred Onyedinma to the floor with his trailing leg, could affect their belief.
Millwall threatened to go further ahead four minutes later when Onyedinma again found himself inside the area. His square pass to Tom Elliott required Ryan Delaney to be alert to clear the danger.
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That missed opportunity was a source of regret for Millwall in the 32nd minute when Rochdale equalised. Defender Jason Shackell had just denied Mark Kitching with a well-timed tackle when Andy Cannon picked out Ian Henderson with a clever pass. Henderson did not hesitate as he swept the ball home.
The equaliser spread belief among the Rochdale side that perhaps their poor league form was an aberration that would not hinder FA Cup progress and if they finished the first half strongly, they looked even more motivated after the interval, pushing forward at every opportunity with Kitching and then Cannon forcing saves from Millwall keeper David Martin.
Then, the effervescent Cannon drove to the byline after 53 minutes and saw his cross deflected over Martin into the path of Matt Done on the line, who gleefully prodded Rochdale ahead.
Millwall were awoken by the goal and Elliott’s shot was saved by Josh Lillis before the striker headed an Onyedinma cross wastefully over.
Nevertheless Rochdale pressed forward at the other end. Cannon forced more saves out of Martin, then Millwall’s Shane Ferguson had a free kick deflected over. In desperation, Millwall manager Neil Harris threw on regular starters Morison, Lee Gregory and Shaun Williams.
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Rochdale had defender Jimmy McNulty to thank for a magnificent block in the 86th minute when he bravely hurled his body into the path of an Elliott shot, but sadly for McNulty and his teammates, victory was snatched from them by Thompson’s late equaliser. Hill said: “The replay is another good opportunity for us and both sides will know who the opponents will be by then.”
Star man: Andy Cannon (Rochdale)