Gerald Sibon scored the only goal of the game as Sheffield Wednesday narrowly edged past Rochdale in the Worthington Cup.

The Owls, semi-finalists in this competition last season, started brightly with Shefki Kuqi and Sibon forcing their way through Dale's back line twice in the opening 90 seconds.

And they scored after four minutes.

Sibon capitalised when Wayne Evans' clearance ricocheted off Kuqi - and he calmly stroked the ball home from 20 yards.

Kuqi had a chance to double the lead in the 10th minute but goalkeeper Neil Edwards was down quickly to his low drive.

The visitors' first attempt came shortly afterwards through Paul Connor, but his long shot was parried away by Kevin Pressman.

In the 20th minute Connor again forced Pressman to nudge away under pressure.

Wednesday responded again through Kuqi, who forced Edwards to make a diving save at his feet.

Dale captain Gareth Griffiths headed wide in the 33rd minute and five minutes later Connor also nodded wide of the mark.

And on the stroke of half-time Dale were extremely unfortunate not to restore parity when Clyde Platt headed against the post.

In the second half Pressman saved from Connor again and Platt had a final chance with a shot from a narrow angle - but Wednesday held on to secure a place in the next round.

Sheff Wed: Pressman, Hendon, Bromby, Burrows, McLaren, Knight, Armstrong, Maddix, Quinn, Sibon, Kuqi. Subs: Stringer, Soltvedt, Owusu, Hamshaw, Geary.

Rochdale: Edwards, Evans, Jobson, Griffiths, Flitcroft, Oliver, Duffy, Doughty, Simpson, Connor, Platt. Subs: Gilks, Hodges, McCourt, Townson, Warner.

Referee: G Cain (Merseyside).