Rochdale took on Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in their last game of the season. They came away with a point thanks to another late Rickie Lambert goal. Match report online now.
Thank goodness for that, the season is finally over and we can take our minds off the Dale a little and concentrate on the World Cup and the England Test Matches and for the Egg Chasing fans amongst you, Hornets and the Super League.
As my dear old Mum says, rather annoyingly, "There's always next year." This has become a statement I can set my watch by unfortunately.
With Parkin naming his released list early, the only player who played the game yet would definitely not be here next season was Gareth Griffiths who was given the captains armband for his last ever game. There was no Warner, Sturrock, Gallimore, Kitchen, Brisco or Cartwright within the squad. Gilks was in goal with a back four of Jackson, Boardman, Griffiths and Goodall. Brown returned to the side and play right wing, Jones and Doolan in the middle with Cooksey on the left wing. Lambert and Dagnall were up front. On the bench were Ramsden, Thompson, Coleman, Moyo Modise and Christie.
Lincoln looked the better side in the first half I thought and had a couple of good chances which Gilks was equal to.
Dale began to get into the game a bit more and looked to attack but the final ball seemed to always be lacking and the strikers were having to feed off scraps.
The home side should have been ahead on 30 minutes when a great cross came in and Robinson was all alone at the back post but couldn't get on the end of it. It looked an easy chance and was definitely a let off for Rochdale.
An even better chance fell Lincoln's way when a howler from Jon Boardman (Well I never!) let in Green who was one on one with the keeper but he hit it low and straight at Gilks. All he had to do was put it either side of him and it was 1-0. Paul Tait like finishing I thought!
The second half was a bit better for Rochdale but it got worse before it did get better. Lincoln carried on piling on the pressure but Dale got into the game again and had a few chances. Cooksey and Jones both had shots blocked and Chris Dagnall was guilty of missing a very good chance which he skied over the bar. He was absolutely gutted about it and Lambert even came over and put his arm round him.
Gilks was tested a couple more times but then eventually, Lincoln got their goal. It came from a corner and McAuley headed home at the back post.
It looked like it was set for a 1-0 defeat but luckily Dale managed a late equaliser like they have so many times this season. It came from a familiar source as well. Rickie Lambert had a free kick out wide by the touchline which he curled into the box hoping for someone to attack, it missed everyone and curled into the far corner. This goal ensured that Lambert finished joint top scorer in the Division with 22 goals and he's still top of the assists chart indicating that he's not had a bad season really!
The final whistle came and the Lincoln fans all ran onto the pitch as they were celebrating getting into the playoffs but as Rochdale fans sang at them, "You always lose in the Playoffs!"
See you in Pre-Season!