KEITH Hill revealed how his choice of match-day attire meant he could well have not been allowed to take his place in the dugout for Rochdale’s 2-0 victory over Barrow in the FA Cup third round.

The manager of the Sky Bet League One outfit arrived at Holker Street in his street clothes of jeans and Timberland coat, rather than the tracksuit – as favoured by Barrow boss Paul Cox – or lesser-seen suit, like the majority of his opposite numbers.

Indeed, the 47-year-old’s clothes prompted an enquiry from a steward about his identity, albeit jokingly, although he took it all in good humour and has no intention of wearing anything he does not feel comfortable in on the touchline.

“What is wrong with being comfortable at a game?” joked Hill. “The past is a great place to live, but it’s certainly not where I’m from. It’s not as if I’ve just turned up at Barrow with jeans on – I have worn them all season!

“I have been refused entry at a few clubs; one of them was today and Sheffield United did it as well.

“It is what it is, but I just want to be myself and I will not subscribe to some of the politics that goes on in modern day football.

“It was just a little bit of a jest. Nobody knows who I am, which is just the way I like it, but when they look at my attire I suppose they ask ‘where are you going?’, but I’m okay with that.”

As for the game itself, it was two goals either side of half-time from in-form striker Ian Henderson, who has now netted six times in his last four games, which saw Rochdale through to the fourth round of this season’s FA Cup.

One focus for Hill in the build-up to the game was at the other end though, with him working on ensuring his side were able to nullify the dangers posed by Barrow. Goalkeeper Conrad Logan also did well to deny both Richie Bennett and Moussa Diarra in quick succession soon after Henderson’s opener.

“There was never a fear of us losing this football match,” said Hill. “We had an intention of coming here and playing our game, and we did.

“I don’t think there was ever a shock on the cards with respect to the way we started the game and there was no negligence in the way we played and approached the game.

“We were superb at set-plays against us and we were brilliant at attacking, and we probably should have scored more goals.

“We fully respected the opposition before, during and after the game, and I’m sure they’re going to do really well in the National League this season. They’re up there fighting for promotion and a play-off place, and they’re a very strong outfit.”

As well as the result. Hill revelled in the atmosphere at Holker Street, where a crowd of 4,414 – the highest attendance since the 1990 FA Trophy semi-final second leg against Colne Dynamoes – packed in to witness the encounter.

“It was absolutely tremendous,” said Hill. “We were having good banter with the home supporters, it was brilliant to see the stadium full and it was a great game.”