Chesterfield 1 - 3 Rochdale

Photo: Brad Journeaux

Proact Stadium - Chesterfield versus Rochdale

Rochdale kept their slim hopes of reaching the League One play-offs alive with a convincing victory over relegation threatened Chesterfield.

Ian Henderson’s 100th career goal set Dale on their way. Callum Camps and Jamie Allen also scoring to give Dale a commanding lead at half time.

Chesterfield improved after the break and gave themselves a slight hope of getting back into the game when Kristian Dennis fired in six minutes into the second half but Dale held firm.

David Faupala was sent off in stoppage time at the end for a kick out at Joe Rafferty.

Keith Keane returned from injury to take his place in the starting eleven with Peter Vincenti dropping to the bench.

On a warm spring day, Rochdale controlled the opening 45 minutes as they looked to stretch their unbeaten run to three games.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing almost added to his season's tally when he cut in from the right, however his deflected shot came back off the post before being cleared.

Dale wouldn’t be kept out for long as a minute later they edged in front. Keane, playing a central midfield role, slotted a perfect pass through to Henderson who when faced with the big frame of Thorsten Stuckmann in the Chesterfield goal, nonchalantly lifted the ball over the keeper to net his personal milestone.

With Dale well in control they put the game beyond Chesterfield before half time. A Mendez-Laing corner was only partially cleared to Camps who sent a first time shot bouncing into the bottom left corner for his third goal in three games.

Before Chesterfield could re-group, Dale had their third. A wonderful turn on the edge of the box by Allen allowed him sight of goal and he finished well into the bottom corner.

Chesterfield made a change at half-time with Rai Simons replacing Osman Kakay and the change had an almost immediate effect. The substitute got down the right and his cross was cleared out straight to Dennis who smashed in an unstoppable low shot to give his side a lifeline.

The goal stimulated Dale back into life and Henderson was denied a second by a one-handed save by Stuckmann.

Chesterfield, who started the day ten points from safety, came at Dale after the hour mark.

Tom Anderson thumped a header off the bar.

Conrad Logan had to be at his best to deny Paul McGinn when the home captain's swerving shot was just about pushed away.

To make matters worse for Chesterfield, second half substitute David Faupala was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for kicking out at Joe Rafferty.

The win moves Rochdale up to eighth in Sky Bet League One.

Chesterfield: Stuckmann, Donohue, Anderson, Maguire, Kakay (Simons 46), McGinn(c), Nolan, Martinez, Rowley (Gardner 74), Dennis, Ebanks-Blake (Faupala 66).
Subs: (not used) Hird, Fulton, Grimshaw, Mitchell.

Rochdale: Logan, McGahey, McNulty, Canavan, Bunney (Rafferty 64), Keane, Camps, Allen, Mendez-Laing (Davies 90), Andrew (Vincenti 78), Henderson(c).
Subs: (not used) Wilson, McDermott, Rathbone, Kitching.

Referee: Mr M Brown
Assistants: Mr R Bartlett and Mr A Clayton
Fourth Official: Mr A Haines

Attendance: 5,927 (454 from Rochdale)