Maidstone are out of the FA Cup after losing 2-0 in a first-round replay at Rochdale on Tuesday night.

The League 1 side scored both goals when on top in the first half and while United rallied impressively after the break, Dale always looked dangerous.

There was little sign of what was to follow in a fairly even start at Spotland.

That changed when Joe Rafferty and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing began to combine down the right and by half-time it was more like a practice match for the home team.

They dominated possession and United struggled to get near them as Dale opened up the visitors at will.

Keith Hill’s side led on 14 minutes when Rafferty’s ball across the six-yard box was buried by Steven Davies.

Davies should have had a second soon after, volleying over Reuben Noble-Lazarus’ cross.

He didn’t have long to wait, though, doubling Dale’s lead from the penalty spot on 22 minutes after Bobby-Joe Taylor pulled back Joe Bunney.

Maidstone were cheered on by about 100 fans on the far side of the ground but just couldn’t get in the game.

Mendez-Laing and Rafferty were filling their boots down the right, combining time and time again.

Dale might have extended their lead before half-time, Worgan parrying from Davies after Rafferty put Tom Mills on his backside, then Mendez-Laing fired just wide after a good run to the edge of the box.

Rochdale substitute Ollie Rathbone missed a free header from a corner and worked Worgan just after the break.

But that was followed by a tidy little spell for the visitors, Jack Evans with their first shot on target from a free-kick, then Mills’ strike from a Jamar Loza cross was blocked.

You sensed Rochdale had another gear in them, though, and a swift counter-attack, led by Noble-Lazarus and Mendez-Laing, ended with Worgan blocking from Davies when well placed for number three.

Stones continued to have a go but Rochdale saw out the game with few problems and travel to Carlisle in round two.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Acheampong, Lokko, Rogers (Paxman 58mins), Taylor, Evans, Loza, Odubade (Murphy 75mins), Flisher (Greenhalgh 70mins). Subs not used: Coyle, Sweeney, Enver-Marum, Parsons.

Attendance: 1,350.