Dale stay top of Division 3, despite being held to a 2-2 draw against Scunthorpe. Dale looked to have sealed a win but were cruelly punished just minutes later. Full report online.

Well three thousand extra fans turned up last Tuesday to see us take on Fulham. They quickly disappeared again for today though. The players and staff must be utterly bewildered at what they have to do to get these 'part-time' supporters to come to the league games.

Right well the game itself today was one which saw one of the most one-sided performances ever to be seen at Spotland. No neither of the teams can hold that accolade, it falls to referee Ricahrds. Does this guy not know that there are two teams on a field, because today he certainly was wearing the colours of Scunthorpe. He did manage to get two decisions right, thats about it! Both were the penalties, so no complaints about that.

Time after time Richards blew against Dale. A goal was disallowed for what reason he only knows! He over-ruled his linesmen on many occasions, and basically allowed the game to be played how Scunthorpe saw fit. A two footed tackle on Evans, which led to him not coming out for the second half, saw only a yellow card, when it looked an automatic red. Even for Scunthorpe on occasions he gave the wrong decisions. Moments after the tackle on Evans, McAuley brought down a Scunny player with a foul that may of been worthy of a yellow card.

Well, so far all I've talked about is the inept referee. There was in fact a game of football being played. Dale fell behind to a header from Brough on 13 minutes. The ball was played out wide to Beagrie who looked suspiciously offside. The ball was whipped to the back-post where Brough had a free header.

In all honesty in the first half Dale played poor, though they always looked the better side. Chances were created but Dale couldn't find the net. The second half was much better though and Dale got into the game. Connor finally woke up and made Evans in the Scunthorpe net produce a fine save.

An equaliser finally arrived for Dale. The ball was pinged about in the Scunthorpe box before it fell to Oliver, 8 yards out, who fired a low drive into the bottom corner to claim only his second ever Dale goal. That seemed to spur Dale on, and the introduction of Townson certainly livened things up.

With just 10 minutes left Dale had taken the lead. The referee for the first time in the game decided it was time to play fair. Platt chased a ball into the box, and off the ball a Scunthorpe defender wrestled young Kevin Townson to the ground, for what was an obvious penalty. Gary Jones stepped up and fired it into the net.

Just a minute later though things went pear-shaped for Dale. Following much confusion in the box the ball was finally sent goalwards by a Scunthorpe play. Lee Todd flung himself across the line to tip the ball away, unfortunately he isn't the goalkeeper. The referee kept up his run of form by making the correct decision again (two in a row - you must be kidding!) by pointing to the spot and ultimately sending Todd off. Beagrie stepped up and denied Dale the three points.

With time running out Tony Ford received the ball on the edge of the area. He scooped it over the challenge of a Scunny player before being cruelly brought down. Surely a free-kick on the edge of the area. Nope, the referee said the Scunny player won the ball! What game was this idiot watching!?

All in all I think a draw was a fair result. After the amount of effort put in last Tuesday, no one can complain really. The players really looked tired, especially Platt who once again ran his socks off. Some below par performances today, I think you all know who I mean. In the second half anyway Durkan just didn't seem interested at all, and never got stuck in at all. Connor again didn't look back to fitness, but I'm sure he will be soon, and defences will be petrified once more.

The big test is to come for Dale this week. Tuesday night is were we find out just how far we have come. Hull City are the opposition. The big-spenders of Division 3. We are certainly going to have to put in a better performance on Tuesday if we are to take any points off them.

Photo: Action Images

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