Another match, another blank scoresheet. The non scoring run now stands at seven games in league and cup. Despite the defeat, there was a lot to be positive about, as Dale showed an improvement on recent performances, and they can count themselves very unlucky to have lost.

Steve Parkin decided to change things round a little, with recalls to the side for Graeme Atkinson and Gary Jones, whilst midfielder Jason Peake had to make do with a spot on the bench. For the first few minutes, it looked like the switch was successful as Dale did all the pressing. We seemed to be playing a more direct style of football. We had a few corners and looked more threatening than we had done in recent weeks. Even the set pieces were different to past offerings in a bid to end the goal drought that has plagued the last few weeks. They looked more likely to result in a goal, but it was not to be.

Despite controlling the first few minutes, Dale were unable to take advantage of this, and Torquay came back into the game and were well on top for the rest of the first half without really threatening. Dale suffered at the hands of a very petty referee who was booking players (wearing blue) for any foul committed. Clive Platt was ordered off the pitch twice by the referee to have a cut seen to by physio Andy Thorpe. He soon returned sporting a Rab C Nesbitt style headband.

Dale rarely attacked after their bright opening spell. However, Mark Monington nearly became the first Dale player to score when his header was tipped over the bar superbly by NEIL EDWARDS. An own goal in the current climate would surely have been the last straw.

Torquay, for all their dominance, didn't look like scoring as chances for them were as rare as they had been for us. It seemed that Neil Edwards would not have the chance to impress his boyhood hero Neville Southall in the opposite goal. They played some nice neat stuff, with some fancy play down the wings, but they struggled in the box with the Dale defence well on top.

Dale finished the half well forcing another couple of corners. Ellis came close to putting the Dale in the lead when he flicked the ball goalwards on the turn, but his effort went wide of the post without troubling the fat Welsh ex bury binman / hod carrier in the Torquay nets.

New signing Chris Bettney was introduced just before the break when Keith Hill picked up an injury. This prompted another turn round, with Wayne Evans slotting into central defence and Tony Ford reverting to right back.

The second half saw even fewer chances than the first half offered. There was very little to write about to be honest. Mono had a good chance following a corner but his effort didn't even need saving. Other Dale efforts were simple saves for Southall with little power offered. A Flitcroft free kick went straight into Southall's hands.

Torquay grabbed the winner with twenty minutes to go, and Dale can consider themselves very unlucky to concede such a goal. Leading scorer Tony Bedeau had the ball outside of the box. He tried a shot, but his effort was immediately blocked by Tony Ford, only for the ball to loop well over Neil Edwards into the back of the net. Taffy had no chance, and hadn't looked like conceding till then. It was certainly a cruel way to lose the lead.

Dale had another switch round as they attempted to get back into the game. They went to three at the back, with Searle pushed up, and Bettney operating behind the front two. We came close but not close enough and the home side managed to play out the last few minutes with some comfort. Jason Peake was brought on, but could do little to stop Dale crashing to defeat.

There was a lot more to be positive about than in recent games. We are starting to get more threatening. Flitcroft played better than he has done lately. Clive Platt is improving and his play with his back to goal looked 100% better than it did on Tuesday.

The next goal is round the corner. It is just a matter of time.

Dale: Edwards, Evans, Searle, Hill (Bettney), Monington, Ford, Flitcroft, Jones, Atkinson (Peake), Platt, Ellis.

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