Rochdale 3 - 3 Sheffield United

Rochdale Manager Keith Hill said both managers will be disappointed with the score line but the courage of both sides has to be commended

Scroll down for Video

Rochdale twice came from behind to earn a deserved point against league leaders Sheffield United. Goals from Steven Davies, Matt Lund and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing earned Dale a point when it looked unlikely after Sheffield United stormed into an 11th minute 2-0 lead.

Mark Duffy curled in the opener after an indirect free-kick was laid off to him inside the area while Sheffield United’s second was a stunner. Full back Daniel Lafferty hit an unstoppable 25 yard shot that rifled into the top corner.

Davies turned the ball in midway through the first half to give Dale a foothold.

Matt Lund slotted in the equaliser at the near post after a good Mendez-Laing centre two minutes into the second half.

Billy Sharp volleyed Sheffield United back in front.

Dale equalised again when Noble-Lazarus’ cross found Mendez-Laing, who beat two defenders before finishing beyond Moore.

Keith Hill had two of his key players in Matt Lund and Steven Davies back from injur as Rochdale welcomed the league leaders to The Crown Oil Arena. Harrison McGahey and Andy Cannon were brought into the back line whilst Olly Rathbone also got the nod.

Sheffield United arrived seven points clear at the top of Sky Bet League One and looking to maintain their push for promotion back to the Championship after five years in the third tier of English football.

It was the visitors, backed a by 3,500 travelling fans, who took an early lead when referee Seb Stockbridge adjudged Matt Lund of playing the ball back to his keeper, who duly picked it up. From the indirect free-kick, James Hanson tapped to Duffy who curled beyond the wall and into the bottom corner.

1One soon became two when Dale only partially cleared a Sheffield United attack, and when the ball fell to wing back Lafferty he struck a superb strike into the top corner giving Wilson no chance.

With Sheffield United looking rampant, Dale had to up their game and they duly did and were back in touching distance when Steven Davies somehow turned a Mendez-Laing cross into the net.

Dale were playing well and got back level very early in the second half through Lund. Mendez-Laing’s dangerous cross was rebuffed only to Andy Cannon, who volleyed the ball back into the mix and Lund stole in at the near post ahead of Basham to fire into the roof of the net.

Sheffield United edged back in front in the 68th minute when a cross from the left fell to Sharp, whose angled volley was too much for Davies on the line, the goal sending the Sheffield United fans into raptures.

Not deflated by the setback, Dale set about the task of drawing level again and they did so through man-of-the-match Mendez-Laing. A great turn by Allen gave him space to pick out the run of Rathbone down the left. The former Manchester United player’s cross found Mendez-Laing, and with plenty still to do, he dropped his shoulder before curling past Simon Moore.

With the game still in the balance, it was Dale who nearly snatched all three points late on. Noble-Lazarus’ cross was perfect for Henderson and his downward header looked destined to be the winner but a smart save from Moore earned his side a point.

Rochdale: Wilson, McGahey, Keane (Noble-Lazarus 58), McNulty, Cannon, Allen, Lund, Rathbone (Camps 78), Mendez-Laing, Henderson (c), Davies (Vincenti 68).
Subs: (not used) Logan, Thompson, Morley, Kitching

Sheffield: Moore, Freeman, Basham, Wright, O’Connell (Carruthers 46), Lafferty, Coutts, Duffy (Lavery 84), Fleck, Hanson (Ebanks-Landell 56), Sharp.
Subs: (not used) Long, Done, Wilson, O’Shea

Referee: Mr S Stockbridge
Assistants: Mr S Rushton and Mr G Hilton
Fourth Official: Mr M Dicicco

Attendance: 6,214