Another week, another below par performance from Dale who were held to a draw by Conference North side Boston United. In fact, we weren’t held, we were lucky to come away with a draw.

Dale now have to travel over to “Bostonshire” as the Boston fans chant on a cold Tuesday night and in all honesty, Boston were unlucky not to go through on the day. Boos rang out around Spotland as the mere 1600 Dale fans were left wondering what the hell is going on.

Dale lined up with Sanchez in goal, a back line of Matheson, O’Connell, Norrington-Davis filling in at centre half despite being one of the most successful crossers this season in League One, and Matt Done at left back. MJ Williams played deep in midfield to almost make it a back three at times with Aaron Morley alongside him, Camps and a bizarre start for youngster Lewis Bradley with Pyke and Hendo making up the rest of the eleven. Ollie Rathbone was back on the bench along with Wilbraham after the very youthful bench due to injuries last week. Lynch, Hopper, Keohane, Gillam and Tavares made up the remainder of the bench.

Dale started the game woefully and Boston kept pressing and creating chances and it became apparently very quickly that something needed to change and sure enough, Aaron Morley was carted off and Wilbraham came on to add a bit of physicality to the side and we eventually started getting into the game.

Alex Whittle had a shot blocked by O’Connell before this and but for last ditch defending, the visitors would have taken a deserved lead in front of a very noisy 900 strong away support.

Dale finished the half a little better and thought they had the lead when Camps’ shot rebounded to Henderson who was offside.

The second half started just as the first did with Dale so slow out of the blocks they may as well have gone home.

Lewis Bradley was brought off after having no impact and looking more like a mascot who had stayed on the pitch. Ollie Rathbone came on and Dale finally had someone who could cause trouble in the midfield.

Jordan Thewlis and Andi Thanoj went close but couldn’t beat Sanchez in the Dale net.

Luke Matheson sliced a shot that had fallen to him from an Alby header and it went harmlessly wide.

Dale’s best chance so far fell to MJ Williams as Dale got into the game more and started pushing for a winner. His shot was closed down why Whittle as claims of handball went ignored by the official.

Norrington-Davies went close from distance, forcing the keeper to tip an effort over the bar.

The visitors had a great chance to snatch the win when Thewlis cut in to shoot but his shot was straight at Sanchez.

Ollie Rathbone forced the keeper into action when he had an effort tipped over and Henderson had the best chance of the game when a shot was saved but looped up into the air and he couldn’t keep his header down and headed over the bar.

The full-time whistle went and a chorus of boos rang around. Three games against non-league opposition and one goal scored. Zero conceded but this is becoming painful.

Rotherham away on Saturday should be fun.

Player Ratings:

Robert Sanchez - 7: Called into action far too often and did well

Luke Matheson - 6: Better going forward than defending but that seems to be the case in general. Did ok.

Eoghan O'Connell - 7: Gave the ball away a few times in the first half but solid as a rock again.

Rhys Norrington-Davies — 7: Probably my man of the match. Our best threat going forward which is some statement given he played centre half.

Matt Done - 6: Worked hard and did ok.

Aaron Morley - 5: Not a great first half and was sacrificed very early on

MJ Williams - 6: A slightly better performance for the sponsors man of the match

Lewis Bradley - 4: Couldn’t get into the game at all, needed replacing earlier as it was like playing with 10 men. Wrong game for him. Not sure when the right game would be.

Callum Camps - 5: Worked hard and was involved in most things but lost out on most challenges, gave the ball away and struggled to have an impact.

Rekeil Pyke - 4: How can someone as big as him be so invisible on the pitch. He isn’t getting any better

Ian Henderson - 6: Cuts a frustrated figure at the moment. Deserves more support, deserves more everything. Should possibly have done better at the end.

Subs:

Aaron Wilbraham — 7: Changed the game when he came on and did quite well. Certainly better with him in the side than not.

Ollie Rathbone — 7: Did quite well when he came on. Hard working, direct performance and something we’ve massively missed in recent weeks.

Fabio Tavares — 5: Offered little.

Photo: Action Images

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