Rochdale 0 - 0 Bristol Rovers

Rochdale slipped out of the play-off places after a drab 0-0 draw against Bristol Rovers. The game was not helped by the Crown Oil Arena pitch, and had very little quality and even less goal mouth action.

The Dale manager gave debuts to goalkeeper Ben Wilson and full back Joel Taylor whilst Mark Kitching got his first start since signing on transfer deadline day. There was a return to the action for all action midfielder Ollie Rathbone after a spell out injured.

The only chance of the first half fell Dale’s way when Rueben Noble-Lazarus headed Harrison McGahey’s cross at goal; Joe Lumley getting down to his right to save.

The pitch certainly stopped any free flowing football as both sides struggled with the condition of the surface.

Bristol’s Ollie Clarke intercepted a Donal McDermott pass to start a counter attack that brought about Bristol's best chance. The ball was eventually worked to the left for the onrushing Lee Brown with the full back denied by a smart save from Wilson.

Dale could have won it in stoppage time when Jamie Allen was picked out by Joe Rafferty inside the area but the substitute couldn’t control the ball when placed in front of goal.

Rochdale: Wilson, McGahey, Keane, McNulty, Taylor (Vincenti 55), Rafferty, Camps (c), Kitching, Noble-Lazarus (McDermott 70), Rathbone (Allen 80), Henderson.
Subs: (not used) Logan, Mendez-Laing, Redshaw, Cannon

Bristol: Lumley, Partington, Lockyer (c), Sweeney, Brown, Bodin (Montano 90), Lines, Clarke, Sinclair, Harrison (Gaffney 83), James.
Subs: (not used) Puddy, Leadbitter, Moore, Mansell, Burn

Referee: Mr M Brown
Assistants: Mr S Wade and Mr P Marsden
Fourth Official: Mr P Dermott

Attendance: 3,168