Rochdale 2 - 3 Peterborough United

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Josh Lillis gifted Peterborough maximum points

A dreadful last minute mistake by goalkeeper Josh Lillis gifted Peterborough maximum points in this opening day thriller at the newly named Crown Oil Arena. A tame cross from the right appeared to pose no threat until Lillis fumbled the ball virtually onto the head of substitute Gwien Edwards who gleefully nodded into an empty net.

Dale had led twice through Andy Cannon and Ian Henderson’s penalty but were pegged back twice.

The Dale boss gave a debut to summer signing Harrison McGahey in the heart of the Rochdale defence alongside Niall Canavan. Andy Cannon was deployed as an attacking midfielder whilst loan signing Samni Odelusi was on the bench.

A frantic opening 45 minutes yielded four goals with Dale’s Andy Cannon opening his account for the season with a superb strike after the visitors failed to clear a corner. The fullback turned midfielder volleyed the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards to edge Dale in front.

Peterborough equalised 13 minutes later when the pacey Marcus Maddison latched onto a ball over the top before comfortably dispatching beyond Lillis.

Dale retook the lead just after the half hour mark through Ian Henderson’s spot kick. Joe Rafferty was tripped inside the area leaving referee Darren Webb with no choice but to award a spot kick.

With the game edging towards half-time, Peterborough captain Chris Forrester volleyed his side level when there appeared little danger.

The second half wasn’t quite as open, although both sides created opportunities.

Allen’s slack pass gave Paul Taylor a sight at goal but the striker curled wide of the mark.

Callum Camps went close with a cleverly disguised shot that went agonisingly wide of Alnwick’s far post.

With the game heading for a draw, Peterborough took a surprise lead. Taylor got past McNulty far too easily before crossing towards Edwards. The centre didn’t seem to have much threat about it but Lillis somehow dropped the ball with Edwards on hand to head home from close range to seal an opening day win for the Posh.

Attendance: 3,243 (718 from Peterborough)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McGahey, Canavan, McNulty, Allen, Camps (Odelusi 87), Cannon , Henderson (c), Bunney (Andrew 56), Mendez-Laing (McDermott 59)
Subs: (not used) Diba, Tanser, Barry-Murphy, Morley

Peterborough: Alnwick, White, Baldwin, Tafazelli (Bostwick 22), Hughes, Forrester (c), Silva Lopez, Anderson (Edwards 46), Maddison, Taylor, Coulthirst (Nichols 74)

Referee: Mr D Webb
Assistants: Mr G Fyvie and Mr B Gordon
Fourth Official: Mr M Dwyer