Rochdale 1 - 0 Fleetwood Town

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Joe Bunney

Rochdale earned a valuable three points but were made to battle against struggling Fleetwood Town. Joe Bunney scored the only goal of the game when he turned in Jim McNulty’s left wing cross to net his fourth goal in three games. Fleetwood substitute Wes Burns came closest for the visitors when headed against the bar in stoppage time.

On a cold evening at a sparsely populated Spotland, a lively opening from both teams saw Dale net the only goal of the game. Noble-Lazarus’ defence splitting pass inside the right full back picked out McNulty. The big defender showed a clean pair of heels as he raced down the left before sending a dangerous cross to the near post that Bunney directed inside the far post.

Fleetwood, who have been masters of drawing games recently, rarely threatened Josh Lillis with the home team showing a little more of an attacking threat. Bunney saw a scuffed volley cleared from in front of goal by former Dale defender Stephen Jordan.

As the half drew to a close, Shola Ameobi got a lucky ricochet but was foiled by Lillis when clean through.

The second half saw very little in clear chances until late on. A neat back heel by substitute Dave Syers set up Grant Holt but the veteran striker was denied a home debut goal by Maxwell with a smart save.

Fleetwood threw everything at Dale in stoppage time and came close to earning a point through Wes Burns. The substitute headed against the bar after a right wing corner and his follow up shot was deflected over. From the resultant flag kick, Burns again was wasteful when he blazed over from eight yards.

It was an important three points for Rochdale who moved nine points clear of the relegation places with 14 games left to play.

Attendance: 1,767

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Noble-Lazarus (Syers 63), Lund (Vincenti 80), Allen, Rose, Henderson (c), Bunney (Holt 62)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Camps, Bennett, Mendez-Laing

Fleetwood: Maxwell, Forbes (Haughton 70), Nilsson, Jordan (Davis 35), Harris, Jonsson, Ryan (c), Sarcevic, Grant (Burns 65), Hunter, Ameobi
Subs: (not used) Gogic, Nirennold, Ball, Cole

Referee: Mr D Handley
Assistants: Mr T Peart and Mr P Gibbons
Fourth Official: Mr R Johnson