Dale fans finally had a day to celebrate with a first win of the season, away at Northampton Town. Oh and it seemed the takeover was off too!

The Dale were on the road again, this time a trip down to Northampton and with the news breaking mid-trip that the hostile takeover bid was seemingly off, the mood in our car was fantastic.

Dale were forced into one change with Beesley missing out due to concussion protocol meaning Josh Andrews replaced him in the starting line up.

Northampton started the game quite brightly and had a handball shout early on when O'Connell was challenge on his way back to goal and looked to handball it but the referee waved play on fortunately

The game became quite scrappy with neither side able to keep hold of the ball particularly well but it was Dale who went ahead after 17 minutes with a very well worked goal. A Dale free kick on the right was played into the feet of Morley who dinked a glorious ball in which Max Taylor headed past the keeper to make it 1-0 to Dale.

Could Dale on for a bit now?!

No.

On 20 minutes, Northampton we're back level. It's so bloody frustrating isn't it. A free kick was swung in and John Guthrie had a really simple header to equalise for the Cobblers.

With about ten minutes to go before half time, Dale went close again. A good ball in from the right from O'Keefe missed Andrews and found Done but his connection was weak and trickled through to the keeper. Done immediately went down signalling he was hurt but after treatment came back on.

O'Keefe was probably our standout player in the first half and he had a chance in stoppage time where he cut in and dragged a shot wide with his left foot.

Dale went in level.

There was a double sub for Dale for the second half with new signing Jeriel Dorsett replacing Sam Graham who looked like he was carrying an injury. Matt Done was also replaced by Swiss Army Jimmy Keohane.

Keohane made a huge difference to the side when he came on and he also and he received a great ball from O'Keeffe and Swiss Army Jimmy crossed for Andrews who turned the ball over the bar.

Dale were on the front foot and playing well. O'Keeffe did brilliantly again after being set away by a good Morley pass and he skipped past one defender and crossed to Keohane at the back post but his header and the follow up was really well blocked.

Worryingly, Matt Done emerged from the tunnel on crutches.

Jeriel Dorsett had a slightly shaky start and one backpass from him had Jay Lynch scrambling to clear it which was a bit of a let off.

Northampton did have a couple of half chances, Hoskins with both. His first effort was blocked by O'Connell and trickled through to Lynch while his other shot was harmlessly wide.

Keohane went close for Dale when O'Keeffe did well again down the right and crossed for the Irishman to head over but his header looped over the bar.

Alex Newby, subject of a wonderful new chant courtesy of Ryan Lockett of the podcast, hit a shot on target but his effort was well saved.

Dale were pushing and were finally rewarded and managed to get ahead again. Lynch made a save and immediately set away Dooley who played a wonderful ball through to Josh Andrews who had struggled a touch to get involved, but he went one on one with the keeper and beautifully slotted it home to send the Dale support into scenes.

It would be Andrews last real involvement as he was brought of for Danny Cashman. It looked like he'd picked up a knock in the celebrations.

Dale went incredibly close to putting the game to bed Morley crossed to Keohane who put a brilliant cross in for a stretching Cashman who just missed the ball, like Gazza in 96 against the Germans.

Then it came in stoppage time. And what a goal it was. A wonderfully weighted ball by Cashman played in Abraham Odoh who blasted the ball into the top corner to send the travelling Dale fans mental.

The final whistle went and you could just see the joy, mixed with relief on the players, supporters and manager. An incredible day all round.

Up the Dale and we're not for sale!

PLAYER RATINGS:

Jay Lynch -6 (Did ok, could have have come and claimed the goal? Some were suggesting that to me)

COREY O'KEEFFE - 8 (Outstanding today, caused havoc all game and got some really good crosses in!

Sam Graham - 6 (Did ok but does look like he's carrying an injury)

Eoghan O'Connell - 7 (Much better from the skipper!)

Max Taylor - 7 (Another really good performance I thought and rewarded with a goal)

Matty Done - 6 (Looks potentially a bad injury but did ok)

Aaron Morley - 7 (Put a few really good balls in and was much better second half)

Stephen Dooley - 7 (Great assist for Andrews goal)

Alex Newby - 7 ("Saturday night and I like the way you move, Alex Newby!"

Abraham Odoh - 7 (Great goal in stoppage time)

Josh Andrews - 6 (Good finish but not much went right before that)

SUBS:

Jeriel Dorsett - 6 (Won more in the air than Graham but did take time to get into the game)

Jimmy Keohane - 8 (Excellent when he came on. Made a huge difference)

Danny Cashman - 7 (Worked really hard and got a great assist)

Photo: Action Images

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