Dale drop to 3rd in Division 3 behind Torquay after a stalemate 0-0 draw away at Kidderminster and have still yet to win at Aggborough. Full match report and player ratings online now

Paul Simpson decided to go with the same team as Tuesday nights exciting 4-3 win over Cambridge United for today's match against Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough but the outcome of today's game was somewhat different to Tuesday nights.

In all honesty Dale were rather lucky to come away with a point as Kidderminster had considerably more chances and should have scored a number of them but for good defending, good goalkeeping and a poor Kidderminster strikeforce.

The first chance came the way of the home side where Neil Edwards saved very easily from a weak Sam Shilton shot after just a couple of minutes. Around 5 minutes later, Sam Shilton was in the thick of the action when he headed wide from a Kidderminster corner. Rochdale had their first chance of the game a few moments later when striker Clive Platt squeezed a shot in but it was easily saved by Harriers keeper Stuart Brock.

The game then settled down into the midfield with no chances being created. Dave Flitcroft worked hard in the middle getting some very good tackles in and trying to play some through balls, as did Michael Oliver. Both teams tried to create chances but failed to go that extra step and get a shot in until Clive Platt put Paul Connor through but his shot took a deflection and was easily saved by Brock.

The next chance fell to Kidderminster when a thunderous shot by Danny Williams produced a very good save from Neil Edwards. Kidderminster then had a good chance a few minutes later when Sam Shilton broke down the wing to cross for Drew Broughton who headed well over the bar. Drew Broughton managed to get himself booked in a very stupid way as well. After being flagged offside, he protested his innocence and then blasted the ball at the goal resulting in a yellow card and he then still wouldn't shut up so the referee moved the ball forward 10 yards for dissent.

Dale came out after the half time break the better team and had the majority of the possession and created a couple of chances. Paul Simpson went very close with a shot just outside the area which he was kicking himself for missing after a good squared pass from Paddy McCourt. Dave Flitcroft also went very close with a shot from just outside the box, surely he will score someday, the law of averages says he has to. Kidderminster then broke forward and attacked and Danny Williams went close again hitting the ball just over the bar after a lovely build up. The home side then had a penalty claim turned down when Richard Jobson was judged to have handled the ball in the box but referee Keith Hill waved play on.

Broughton missed another good chance with about 10 minutes to go when his weak header was easily saved by Edwards after a cracking cross by substitute Dean Bennett. It didn't finish there for Drew Broughton though, with a couple of minutes remaining he somehow managed to put the ball over the stand from about a metre away after a very dominant period of attack by Kidderminster Not a good day at the office for Drew Broughton to say the least.

A point away from home is acceptable, it just seemed that we took our home form from before Tuesday to Aggborough today and it was quite frustrating but we are still in the automatic promotion places and only 3 points behind the league leaders Hartlepool so bring on the Macc on Saturday for a thrashing!

Player Ratings:

Neil Edwards 7 Pulled off a couple of good saves from Williams and Broughton

Wayne Evans 7 His consistent self again, did well in defence, caught out a couple of times though

Gareth Griffiths 7 Very Solid as usual. Won nearly everything in the air

Richard Jobson 7 Still very good despite his lack of pace. Won loads in the air and got stuck in

Matty Doughty 6 Not able to push forward as much as he would have wanted to and didn't get many crosses in

Paddy McCourt 6 Went on a couple of runs but tried to take on too many and lost the ball, stupid dive to try and get a penalty and one day he will get penalised for things like this

Michael Oliver 7 Got stuck in well at times and his passing was good as usual

David Flitcroft 8 Brilliant once again! Got stuck at every opportunity and his passing was top notch, went close with a shot on goal as well.

Paul Simpson 6 Not as influential as usual. A couple of shots went close from long range free kicks but quite ineffective

Clive Platt 7 Held the ball up very well and his link up play with Connor was good.

Paul Connor 7 Got into several good positions and was generally quite good, you can see the frustration he is suffering though. A few shots but none troubled the keeper very much.

Subs:

Lee McEvilly 6 Not really much time to have any effect on the game.

Photo: Action Images

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