Dale earned a 2-2 draw at Cambridge, with goals from Evil and Paddy. A late disallowed goal for Cambridge though could have made it yet another defeat.

An improvement performance-wise, thank god. It couldn't get any worse anyway. The players seemingly 'wanted it' and they probably just about deserved the draw.

Lee Duffy and Matt Doughty were back in the team, Hill was left out, and Grand was suspended. Andrews went to centre back alongside Griff and Evo, in a 3-5-2 formation. With Paddy McCourt playing in the hole behind the front two.

Dale started like a house on fire and were in front almost immediately. McCourt played a lovely ball down the channel for Platt who fired the ball across the six yard box, for Evil to slam it into the back of the net, under challenge from a defender.

Cambridge were level however almost straight away. Kitson nipped in on goal and coolly slotted the ball past the advancing Gilks in the Dale goal.

It was a very even battle for the next half an hour. Flitcroft sent a volley wide, and Paddy was causing all sorts of problems with his runs. Gilks at the other end though had to be in fine form to keep out a downward header.

With half time approaching the home side took the lead for the first time. Clive Platt (I think) made a stupid header across his own area from a Cambridge throw-in, in an attempt to clear. It went straight to Tudor on the edge of the area, who rifled in an unstoppable shot, into the roof of the net.

The second half saw Dale once again start brightly, and we were soon level. Paddy fired home a low drive into the bottom corner from near the edge of the area.

Cambridge then came more into the game, but they couldn't really muster any clear chances. Gilks tipped an effort around the post, but it was going wide anyway. With 3 minutes injury time put up, was there to be another goal? The last time we played Cambridge, we scored two in injury time!

However this time it was the home side's turn to celebrate, or was it?! What seemed like a perfectly good goal for Kitson when he headed home at the back post, was disallowed for an apparent push. Couldn't really see that much wrong with it in truth, and Dale were really let off the hook.

A better performance definitely. We have said that the last two away games though on a Tuesday night (Darlo + Orient) only to then return to the same aimless garbage on a Saturday. Is it going to be third time lucky for Simpson this weekend? 

Prove us all wrong Simmo. Despite what the ones who back you think, we may not want you here, and that is based purely on what has happened already, but no doubt we ALL want you to prove us wrong. We all know your a nice guy. Now be a GOOD manager as well. Its in your hands Simmo, moaning (and banners!) aren't going to get us anywhere, so it seems.

Photo: Action Images

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