Football: Rochdale 0 - 0 Bristol Rovers

Rochdale battled to a well deserved point despite playing the entire second half with ten men after having goalkeeper Magnus Norman sent off in first half stoppage time against Bristol Rovers.

The on-loan Fulham stopper clattered into Rovers striker Stefan Payne outside of the box as the pair challenged for a bouncing ball.

Rookie referee Matt Donohue consulted his assistant and deemed it dangerous play showing Norman a straight red card.

Both sides had chances throughout the game but good goalkeeping and wayward shooting meant a share of the spoils was probably about fair.

Having lost their last two outings, Rochdale manager Keith Hill made five changes from the weekend loss to Portsmouth. Magnus Norman was preferred to Josh Lillis whilst Harrison McGahey, MJ Williams, Bradden Inman and Matty Gillam were also given starts.

The opening exchanges were quite frantic with both sides looking to stamp their authority on the game but neither goalkeeper seriously troubled. Ian Henderson glanced a header narrowly wide whilst Kyle Bennett’s shot flashed across the face of Norman’s goal.

Stefan Payne rattled the Rochdale crossbar after a mistake from McNulty gifted possession to the striker but the former Shrewsbury man was left frustrated.

Joe Rafferty saw a goalbound shot bravely blocked as Dale strode forward but it was Norman at the other end that was the first keeper tested. Liam Sercombe jinked his way through the Rochdale defence and when Ollie Clarke took over possession inside the box, the captain only had the keeper to beat but Norman stood strong to beat away the ball.

The major talking point of the game came in first half injury time. A long punt upfield saw the ball bounce just outside the area and as Norman went up to challenge, Payne got there first with the Dale keeper clattering in to the striker. After much deliberation the referee deemed it a red card and sent Norman for an early bath.

Josh Lillis was brought on with Jim McNulty making way.

Despite their numerical advantage, Bristol were forced on the back foot by the ten men of Dale in the early part of the second half. Ollie Rathbone saw a powerful shot pushed away by Bonham whilst Jordan Williams shot narrowly wide after a bursting run.

Bradden Inman should have done better when played in by Henderson but could only lift the ball into the gleeful arms of Bonham when one-on-one.

The visitors grew into the second half as the home side tired. Liam Sercombe forcing Lillis into a brave save when through.

Lillis had to be alert again moments later when Sercombe’s shot from range was on target, the substitute keeper at full stretch to push the ball away.

With the clock ticking down, Henderson had a guilt edged chance to seal the win. Good work from Jordan Williams created space and when his perfectly weighted pass set Henderson away with only Bonham to beat, the usually reliable captain saw his weak shot saved.

Rochdale: Norman, Rafferty, McGahey, McNulty ( Lillis 45), Hart, MJ Williams, Rathbone, Perkins, Gillam (J Williams 21), Henderson ©, Inman (Cannon 77)
Subs: (not used) Delaney, Andrew, Clough, Morley

Bristol: Bonham, Partington, J Clarke, Broadbent, Craig (Martin 70), O Clarke ©,Sercombe, Lines, Sinclair (Reilly 46), Bennett, Payne (Jakubiak 66)
Subs: (not used) Leadbitter, Smith, Menayese, Upson

Referee: Mr M Donohue
Assistants: Mr D Benton & Mr M Cunliffe
Fourth Official: Mr C Isherwood

Attendance: 2,301 (198 from Bristol)