Dale produced an encouraging display away at their local rivals and will feel unlucky not to have got anything more out of the game.

GB set his stall out for a defensive display with his line up which contained Leonard as the only 'recognised striker'.

The first half started nervously for the Dale, and they ound themselves under early pressure. Wigan can count themselves unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Jones went down a little theatrically in the box. Edwards made some good saves to deny Jones and Dale target Rodgers but Dale looked reasonably comfortable without creating anything much of note themselves. Dale were restricted to a couple of long range efforts from Andy Farrell and Jason Peake which did little to trouble Carroll in the Wigan net.

The second half brought a big turnaround as Dale looked much more positive in their effort. Throughout the second half they forced a succession of corners. Indeed it was from one of these corners that brought about the Wigan goal. Dale tried a short corner which was easily coped with by the wigan defence. They went upfield immediately getting their own corner. From the corner the ball went to Keith Hill who in attempt to clear the ball, put it into his own net. It would be very cruel to attribute blame to Hill for this own goal, it was just one of those things.

Over the Barrow years, we have often seen the opposition scoring being the sign for the heads to drop, but not tonight as Dale continued to go forward looking for the all important away goal. Dean Stokes who was excellent all night long came closest to scoring when he beat a couple of defenders to fire a shot which was tipped wide by the Wigan keeper Roy Carroll. Lancashire came on late as a substitute and provided more pace in the Dale attack, but his marker was a good few inches taller than him and won most of his balls as a result.

This was a much improved performance by Dale. Many of those who attended the game at Dale were very disappointed with Saturday's display, despondent thinking that would be the norm for the season. After tonight's display against one of the favoured second division teams, things are looking a little brighter. Many people felt that GB's tactics were a little negative failing to name a proper striker in the starting line up, but with our away record over the past couple of years, we had to ensure that the game was still very much alive going into next weeks return leg, which it most defintely is.

Many Dale players came out of the game with a lot of credit. Stokes had an outstanding night and was the Dale man of the match. He kept the tricky David Lee at bay all night finding time to go forward and create his own trouble. He is looking an excellent signing by GB.

David Bayliss continued his excellent start. He was Dale's best player at Plymouth and shone again tonight. He dealt with the difficult Graeme Jones who did not look anything like the top scorer he used to be up against our Bayliss. Edwards was himself. Enough said. Sparrow had a much more encouraging game than he did down at Plymouth.

Johnson played well, but tired towards the end. He has had a lot of football in a short space of time after missing twelve months of footy. He was wisely rested by the Boss with twenty odd minutes to go. Peakey had a good match creating a lot and also getting well stuck in there with the tackles. A special mention must go to Mark Leonard who proved a difficult opponent for the Wigan defence. He won the ball in the wigan box in a turn worthy of Johann Cruyff, well Jordi at least.

There were very few bad points about the game. An away goal would be nice obviously, but Dale will go into the return leg confident after the two recent games at Springfield Park that they are more than equal to their Lancashire neighbours. Indeed it was our pie eating counterparts who left the game more dejected than us.

Dale : Edwards, Sparrow, Stokes, Hill, Johnson (Bailey), Bayliss, Jones (Lancashire), Farrell, Leonard, Peake, Bryson subs not used Stuart, Key, Carden

Photo: Action Images

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