Rochdale 2 - 2 Crewe

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Rhys Bennett’s pin point header after 83 seconds opened the scoring

Rochdale had to settle for a share of the spoils after they threw away an early two goal lead against lowly Crewe at Spotland.

Rhys Bennett’s pin point header after 83 seconds opened the scoring. Joe Bunney tapped home an Ian Henderson centre for Rochdale's second.

Crewe battled back with two quick goals through Marcus Haber and Ryan Seager, before Seager was stretchered off ten minutes later.

Dale huffed and puffed in the second half but couldn’t truly test Ben Garratt in the Crewe goal.

The Dale boss made four changes to the side that lost against Millwall at the weekend, Rhys Bennett, Michael Rose, Matt Lund and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing all started with Andy Cannon, Callum Camps, Jamie Allen and Calvin Andrew missing out.

Dale were out of the traps quickly and scored with their first attack. Mendez-Laing’s right wing cross was perfect for Bennett who placed his header over Garratt and into the top corner.

Soon after, Dale doubled their advantage. Great work from Henderson to win the ball back after a Crewe throw in saw him make space for a cross which Bunney turned in from close range.

The second goal sparked relegation threatened Crewe into action and they took the game to their hosts.

On loan Southampton striker Ryan Seager forced a save from Lillis after intelligent play from Ben Inman.

Crewe’s forward play soon brought about a goal that got them back in the game. A right wing cross wasn’t dealt with effectively by the Dale defence with Marcus Haber on hand to turn the ball in from inside the six yard box.

Crewe were looking lively and drew level just three minutes later. Inman’s precision pass picked out Seager who fired home from inside the area.

Crewe were certainly looking the more threatening with Inman, Haber and Seager all causing the Rochdale back line problems but their attacking threat dwindled after 37 minutes when Ryan Seager was taken from the field on a stretcher after twisting his knee.

The remainder of the first half belonged to Rochdale; Joe Bunney denied by a brilliant block when through on goal whilst in stoppage time, Mendez-Laing hit the side netting when well placed.

The second half started with Crewe on the attack. Marcus Haber’s header grazing the crossbar within a minute of the re-start.

Mendez-Laing's cross almost crept in at the back post, Garrett clawing the ball away before Henderson could pounce.

Rochdale saw plenty of the ball but rarely threatened.

Oliver Turton’s clearance from in front of goal the closest Dale came to finding a winner.

Attendance: 1,985

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire, Eastham, McNulty, Bunney (Vincenti 77), Rose, Bennett (Syers 61) Lund, Mendez-Laing (Noble-Lazarus 59), Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Alessandra, Canavan, Kennedy

Crewe: Garratt, Turton, Nugent, Ajayi, Guthrie, Inman, Fox (c), Jones, Bakayogo, Seager (Saunders 37)(Kirk 88), Haber
Subs: (not used) Richards, Baillie, Ainley, Ng, Howell

Referee: Mr E Ilderton
Assistants: Mr T Bramhall and Mr D Gratton
Fourth Official: Mr P Gooch