Dale produced one of the displays of the season to take a well earned point from Milmoor against high flying Rotherham United.
Dale produced one of the displays of the season to take a well earned point from Milmoor against high flying Rotherham United. Mark Monington even grabbed a goal against his former side to help Dale rescue a point.
Dale produced their best performance of the season and should consider themselves unlucky not to have gained three points. In the process they were cheered on by the loudest away Dale following of the season.
Dale started the game playing a 5-3-2 formation with Paul Sparrow taking part in the left wing back position. Isidro Diaz was dropped as manager Graham Barrow decided to switch things round. As a result Dale seemed very tight and seemed by far the most comfortable side throughout the match. The three centre backs in Johnno, Mono and Hilly looked very secure added with good work by the full backs. There was real commitment by the team, and if mistakes were made, the players tried their hardest to win the ball back as soon as possible.
Rotherham took the lead. They had an attack and had a shot. The shot took a rapid deflection off Mark Monington, only to be saved by Lord Edwards. Unfortunately, the shot rebounded to an Millers attacker who had the easy task of scoring.
Dale equalised before the half was out. A good move saw Jason Peake who laid off the ball which ran to Paul Sparrow who scored his first goal for the club when he fired in from the left hand side.
There were a lot of positive things to come out of the first half, and these continued into the second half. Unfortunately, Graham Lancashire picked up a knock in the first half and had to be replaced by Mark Leonard.
Dale had had most of the running and should consider themselves unfortunate to go 2-1 down when Rotherham scored again. I didn't a great view of what happened there to be honest.
Mark Stuart was brought on during the second half as Dale searched for a way back into the match. Robbie Painter came closest when he had a low shot from outside of the box. It almost curled in, but it hit the post and rebounded out for a throw in, such was the power of the shot. The Dale equaliser came with just fifteen minutes or so to go, following a good move which left Monington free on the edge of the six yard box. He positioned himself well before firing past his former club, to send the travelling supporters into ecstasy. We felt the win was there but it was not meant to be. At least it was good to know that we outplayed one of the best teams in our league.
Dale: Edwards, Williams, Sparrow, Hill, Johnson, Monington, Jones (Stuart), Painter, Lancashire (Leonard), Bryson, Peake. Subs not used Bailey