Rochdale 0 – 1 Millwall

Lee Gregory scored the only goal as Rochdale lost out against play-off chasing Millwall in a scrappy game at Spotland. Gregory swept home from close range after Dale failed to clear their lines. Ian Henderson had claims for a penalty waived away by referee Graham Salisbury as the visitors saw out the game to take the three points.

After last weekend's defeat by lowly Crewe, Keith Hill made four changes to his starting line-up, central defender Ashley Eastham earned a start with Jim McNulty pushed out to left fullback. Andy Cannon, Joe Bunney and Calvin Andrew also got starts.

On a very difficult surface, Dale had the better of the early chances.

Callum Camps was thwarted by Jordan Archer in the Millwall goal.

Calvin Andrew went close with a looping header but injured himself in the process, the big striker being replaced by Peter Vincenti 12 minutes before the interval.

Dale had huge claims for a penalty turned down by referee Salisbury when Ian Henderson appeared to be clipped inside the box by Joseph Martin whilst deep into stoppage time.

Henderson was denied by the Millwall keeper from close range.

The only goal of the game came nine minutes into the second half. Dale’s failure to clear the ball after Lillis bravely blocked Morison’s shot resulted in Lee Gregory having a simple tap in from six yards out, despite the Dale players claims for offside.

Camps almost caught out Archer with a cross-come-shot that the keeper spilled.

Lillis denied Gregory with a finger tip save after the striker beat the offside trap and tried lobbing the Dale keeper.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Dale faithful, who will be hoping for better things on Tuesday night when Crewe are the visitors to Spotland after the initial game on Boxing Day was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Attendance: 2,882

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon (Alessandra 71), Lancashire, Eastham, McNulty, Rafferty, Allen, Camps, Bunney (Mendez-Laing 71), Henderson (c), Andrew (Vincenti 35)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Rose, Lund, Syers

Millwall: Archer, Martin, Williams, Upson, Gegory (Marquis 86), Nelson, Webster, Morison (c), Wallace, Abdou, Romeo
Subs: (not used) Forde, Edwards, Onyedinma, Ferguson, O’Brien, Thompson

Referee: Mr G Salisbury
Assistants: Mr K Mattocks and Mr B Roberts
Fourth Official: Mr O Yates