Lambert Gains Rochdale Another Late Away Draw

Notts County 1 – 1 Rochdale

A draw seemed the most likely outcome of Dale’s visit to Meadow Lane, especially considering both sides required just one point for virtual safety, and following a dull first half it seemed as though Rochdale would register their first goaless draw of the campaign. The second half proved different, however; a goal for both sides and numerous chances saw the game spring into life and Rochdale had a late penalty claim turned down to secure all three points. In the end they happily settled for a third consecutive away draw.

The first half was a drab affair by all accounts with both sides starting tentatively, weighing each other up and providing little in the way of entertainment and goal scoring opportunities. Gary Jones hit a speculative attempt just wide from distance for Rochdale, whilst the home side were enjoying more possession without ever providing a final ball for a decent opening. Goodall did well to head a dangerous cross out for a corner before County’s left-winger, Palmer delivered a much less dangerous cross from a much more dangerous position having beaten two defenders to get into the Rochdale area; firing his centre beyond all the attackers and out for a throw-in.

Rochdale manufactured the best chance of the game just before the half drew to a close. Rickie Lambert should have done better after controlling Simon Ramsden’s long cross; Dale’s top marksman could only find the feet of County keeper, Kevin Pilkington with his low shot. Iyseden Christie then crafted a decent opening for himself after beating two defenders down the left channel but his shot failed to trouble Pilkington.

County were clearly lacking up front and this was frustrating the local supporters who booed their side off at half time. This seemed to rouse the home side and they started the better of the two sides after the break. Indeed, Dale only remained in the game thanks to some excellent goalkeeping by Matt Gilks. David Pipe beat Tony Gallimore for pace and was through on goal only for Gilks to make a good low save to his right before the defence got back to clear the ball away.

County continued to press and Dale found themselves under considerable pressure with the home fans finally showing in an interest in what their team had to offer. Michael Edwards missed the clearest opportunity of the afternoon after the referee failed to spot a clear trip on Mark Jackson, which allowed Edwards to run free of his marker but he put the ball embarrassingly wide with the goal gaping.

County were well on top and Gilks again did well to keep the scores level from a well struck Baudet free-kick which was heading low into the bottom corner before Gilks late intervention to tip it round the post. However, Gilks had little control over the mistakes his defenders made which led to the opening goal. Substitute Scott Warner lost the ball on the halfway line and then Dan Martin stole it from the feet of Mark Jackson and suddenly the gateway was open for Martin to produce a cool finish.

The goal awoke the visitors who realised that the point they needed was being taken away from them and they showed more goal-scoring endeavour for the remaining twenty minutes. Rickie Lambert was at the heart of Dale’s openings and was unlucky to see his 25 yard effort fire inches past the wrong side of the post. Lambert continued to foil his opponents and he played the crucial role in Dale’s equaliser on eighty minutes. Lambert gained a yard on his marker on the edge of the box before dinking a beautiful through-ball over the top of the defence for Chris Dagnall to race onto. Dagnall drew a clumsy looking challenge from Baudet and the referee pointed to the spot for a soft penalty. Lambert scored the penalty with typical ease to bring the scores level.

Lambert was again the provider of Dale’s final chance which presented Gary Jones with a great chance to secure an unlikely victory for the visitors. Jones found himself in a race with County keeper Kevin Pilkington following Lambert’s through ball and the Dale skipper won the race chipping the keeper only to be denied by Baudet who hacked the ball clear. Meanwhile Jones had been hacked down by the keeper which prevented him getting on the end of his original attempt but the referee was in no mood to give Dale what looked to be a much clearer penalty than the first.

It was another late away point gained for Dale as once more they came from behind on their travels. The draw takes them a step further from the relegation zone and with two games in hand and a superior goal difference over the teams below them, it would take a complete disaster for them to be relegated now. Dale games have lost the excitement that they had at the start of the season but they seem to have put an end to the nightmare run which saw them flirt with relegation and they are now picking up points in a more solid, if unspectacular fashion.