Can Rochdale's FA Cup run go any further after sinking Sutton?

Yes — and don't let anyone tell you the FA Cup has lost its spark. Rochdale, of the Vanarama National League, knocked out Sutton United of League One 2-1, and the old ground shook for it.

You know the script by now. The higher division side turns up, keeps the ball, and the little club runs out of legs. Not this time. Sutton led at the break through Larry Cooper, and you feared the worst. Rochdale had huffed and puffed — Matthew Shaw had six goes at it without reward — and the visitors' Danny Watts had already been booked by Paul Randall for a challenge that had the home end up in arms.

But whatever was said at half-time worked. Joel Fennelly levelled it, and then Matthew Astley — the man who never stopped running, all 13.4 kilometres of him — got the one that mattered. One goal, three key passes, and a performance that had 5,970 people singing his name.

Stuart Dobbs set one up before his afternoon ended early, and Joe Grant in the Rochdale goal deserves his share of the praise. Sutton threw on Daniel Reid, Harry Owen and Bruno Medronho at the break to steady things, but it was Rochdale who grew. Nine corners, fifteen shots, a post struck — this was no smash-and-grab.

And spare a thought for Jesse Neequaye, who wore Sutton's shirt for two seasons not so long ago. He'll have enjoyed this one more than most.

Sutton's Kari Forsman and Hayden Frederick were handed starts and found out what a proper cup tie feels like. That's the beauty of it. On a cold November afternoon, the level on the badge means nothing. Rochdale earned every bit of this, and the draw will be awaited with a grin.