When the ball hits the net! Clive Platt's header gave Dale, the result they needed so much, and in truth they were full value for the three points. Its now all to play for in the play-off picture once again.

If you thought the play-off dream was all but over after the defeat at Blackpool, then Dale fans must of changed their minds after today's crucial game with Mansfield. Going into the game, we knew we must win, and that is exactly what Dale did.

Dale went with the same team that had started against Blackpool. Straight from the off Dale were on a mission. The passing was crisp and for once we weren't opting to launch long balls up to Platt and Connor continuously, and look at the result.

Dale just didn't look like the same team that was so pitiful against Blackpool just two days earlier. Despite hardly having a rest from the previous game, Dale were up for it, and looked very lively throughout. In fact they created enough chances to win two games, yet bad finishing and good goalkeeping kept Dale at bay, and come the end the Dale fans were begging for the final whistle.

The Dale goal came from a cross from the left wing. Clive Platt leaped above the defence to head home and send the Dale fans wild. It was Platt's tenth goal of the season and his second in three games. Looks like Plattini has re-found his shooting boots again. With Paul Connor also banging the goals in these two up-front look a formidable partnership.

Dale had other chances in the first half but couldn't beat the on-form Bobby Mimms in the Stags goals. A long range effort from Gary Jones was tip away by the tall keeper, as well as a couple of other efforts being kept out.

Mansfield did have chances and actually had the ball in the back of the net. However the linesman, who in truth was very flag-happy, ruled the goal out for outside. In this case he did get it right though, and the goal was rightly disallowed.

The second half saw Dale pile forward in the early, stages and nearly put the game beyond doubt. Michael Oliver unleashed a powerful shot from close range but somehow Mimms tipped it onto the bar and it went for a corner. From this Bayliss nearly managed to sneak the ball in at the near post, but Mimms stopped it once again.

Dale kind of fizzled out then and Mansfield came back into the game. They had a claim for a penalty turned down, and rightly so. The ball went behind for a corner, but the referee gave a goal-kick. He also booked the Mansfield player, either for complaining or diving. It was not a penalty or a free-kick even but it probably was a corner. It was one of the few decisions that the referee may have gotten wrong today.

Dale then started to put the pressure on Mansfield again, knowing that they were there for the taking, and there may be more goals for in the game. Michael Oliver went close when his header from Ford's cross went inches wide of the post.

Then within the space of a few minutes Dale had two clear cut chances to finish the game. Gary Jones slipped a lovely through ball, for Lancashire to run onto. He fired low, but Mimms once again produced a good save to keep it out. Dale then broke down the wing a few minutes later, the ball was cut back to Flitcroft who had the goal at his mercy. However he fired a tame shot which Mimms easily dealt with.

The last few minutes were quite tense for Dale, as Mansfield had a lot of possession and were looking threatening. However they couldn't get through the Dale defence and had to settle for long range efforts which went miles over the bar. Dale then played out the last few minutes, by playing keep ball in the corner of the pitch. The final whistle went and a huge cheer went up round Spotland.

It seems once again that is all to play for. It appears to be coming down to either us or Blackpool for the 7th position, though if Chesterfield are dealt with properly then our current position may be good enough, but lets not count on that. With two games left for Dale, both against Plymouth we may need full points to make sure of a play-off spot. Whatever happens though next Saturday is going to be very tense.

Photo: Action Images

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