Rochdale 2 - 0 Cheltenham

Dale players and staff celebrate promotion

Rochdale earned promotion to League One after beating Cheltenham as Fleetwood could only draw against Southend.

Keith Hill has become the only manager to steer Rochdale Football Club to two promotions after he first guided the club up a division four years ago.

There were a few sore heads this morning after players, staff and fans alike partied the night away at the end of season awards night and then the town centre bars until the early hours.

Keith Hill celebrates promotion

There was a nervous tension around Spotland in the build up to the game, although the players seemed the calmest people inside the stadium as they set about the task of dismantling a Robins side already safely in mid table. Dale had to better Fleetwood’s result to confirm promotion.

Ian Henderson’s quick break down the centre of the pitch saw defenders back off allowing for a perfect pass to Vincenti, who fired home to ease the tension after just 11 minutes.

Hill’s men then took complete control of the game four minutes later as they doubled their advantage. Bastien Hery and Jamie Allen exchanged passes deep in the Dale half of the pitch before a swift move led to George Donnelly crossing for Henderson who slid to guide the ball in from close range.

The atmosphere around the ground increased with news that Scunthorpe were trailing at Exeter whilst Fleetwood were level with Southend.

Donnelly saw a powerful shot blocked on the line by Braham-Barrett and Scott Brown made a smart low save to deny Vincenti his second of the afternoon.

Cheltenham rarely threatened, a cheeky backheel from Byron Harrison the closest Mark Yates’ side came to troubling Lillis.

The second half was much the same story with Dale well in control.

Donnelly volleyed just wide from a Henderson cross and the striker went even closer with his next effort. Rhys Bennett’s beat his man before pulling the ball back to Donnelly who forced a fine stop by Brown when he tipped over.

Cheltenham showed their travelling fans a glimpse of attacking football as the game wore on but veteran Jamie Cureton couldn’t hit the target.

As the game came towards its conclusion, and the scores still the same elsewhere, the party started with the fans making their way over the advertising boards ahead of the expected pitch invasion on the full time whistle.

With supporters on the pitch in front of the directors box, the celebrations could really begin once the full time scoreline at Highbury was confirmed and Fleetwood had been held to a draw – Rochdale AFC were promoted.

Supporters invade the pitch in front of the directors box

The result between Exeter and Scunthorpe meant that Dale were top until this afternoon’s (Sunday) game between Burton and Chesterfield. Chesterfield's win in that game means Dale drop to second on goal difference and so Keith Hill’s men will go into the final game of the season next weekend needing to win against Newport and hoping that Fleetwood can win or draw against Chesterfield to give Dale the title.

4,372 (144)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rose, Bennett, Lancashire (c), O’Connell, Donnelly (Bunney 72), Lund, Allen, Henderson, Vincenti, Hery
Subs: (not used) Eastham, Thomson, Rafferty, Cavanagh, Done, Cummins

Cheltenham: S Brown, Braham-Barrett, T Brown, Elliott (c), Jombati, Noble (Williams 71), McGlashan, Richards, Deering (Hanks 46), Harrison, Cureton (Kotwica 71)
Subs: (not used) Gornell, Roberts, Vincent, Ihiekwe

Referee: Mr O Langford
Assistant Referees: Mr P Thompson & Mr J Whiteley
Fourth Official: Mr S Copeland