Dominant Dale end Dearden reign

Mansfield 0
Rochdale 4 (Jones 27, 55, Le Fondre 46, Howe 66)

Mansfield manager Billy Dearden left the Field Mill Club by mutual consent after Keith Hill’s Rochdale side tore the relegation haunted Stags to pieces with a comprehensive four goal demolition on a blustery day in Nottinghamshire.

After five defeats from their last six games, Dale came into the clash looking to get their playoff push back on track after stuttering recent weeks.

Captain Gary Jones led the way on the day he broke the Rochdale AFC appearance record of 346 club games by netting a brace, which was followed up by Adam Le Fondre’s tap in and Rene Howe’s solo effort.

Dale manager Keith Hill recalled Tom Kennedy to left back after he missed last weekends defeat through suspension. Chris Basham made way whilst Dave Perkins was pushed back into midfield. Adam Le Fondre started as Lee Thorpe didn’t travel through illness. Defender Nathan D’Laryea found a place on the bench whilst his twin brother Jonathan was on the sub’s bench for the Stags.

Sweeping winds across the Field Mill pitch made attractive football almost impossible but it was Dale who started the game stronger.

Former Stag Adam Rundle had an inspired game and linked up well with Jones early on but their slick football came to nothing as Rundle trod on the ball at the vital moment.

Mansfield offered very little as an attacking force and once Dale got their noses in front there only ever looked like one winner.

The opening goal came just before the half hour mark when Kallum Higginbothams persistence paid dividends when he kept the ball from running out of play. The youngster coolly fed Howe who’s strength and quick feet gave the opportunity to square the ball for the on rushing Jones to slot home from eight yards.

Two minutes later came the home sides best chance of the game. Leading Stags scorer Michael Boulding latched onto a right wing corner but although his header beat Spencer in the Dale goal, Adam Rundle was on the line to hack clear.

Keith Hill had a worrying moment with seven minutes left to the break when Nathan Stanton went down with what looked like a nasty head injury and had to be replaced by Marcus Holness. Thankfully the prognosis for Stanton was blared vision and he will hopefully be fit for Tuesday.

Jonathan D’Laryea replaced Gareth Jelleyman for the hosts at the start of the second period but Dale started like a rocket and doubled their lead after just sixty seconds. Rundle’s left wing cross was unconventionally slotted home at the near post by Adam Le Fondre, a goal which led to some home fans leaving!

Gary Jones got his second of the game nine minutes later after he drilled the ball past Muggleton in the Stags goal after Rundle’s cross-cum-shot was only partially cleared.

The goal scoring was complete on 66 minutes when Le Fondre flicked on for the on rushing Howe to pick up the ball and run almost half the length of the pitch. After shrugging off the advancing Buxton Howe coolly rounded Muggleton to slot home into an empty net - a goal that was applauded by the remaining Stags fans that had stayed that long.

Rundle almost topped off a terrific display with a goal of his own but his mazy run and shot was beaten away by Muggleton.

Hill made a double change, deciding to rest the elder statesman of his squad Gary Jones. Basham replaced the record breaker whilst Higginbotham was replaced by Muirhead.

The Stags best effort of a dour second period for them was a tame half volley that flew high over Spencer’s goal frame.

Dale substitute Ben Muirhead almost made it five after that man Rundle once again put a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Muirheads shot was tipped onto the post by the Stags stopper and cleared from danger.

It was much better from Hill’s playoff chasers, although you could see why their opponents on the day sit deep in trouble in the league’s bottom two. Calls from the home fans for manager Billy Dearden to be sacked where adhered too, but Europe’s The Final Countdown ringing out around the Field Mill Stadium as the fans left was perhaps very aptly chosen by the tannoy man.

Keith Hill was obviously a much happier man than of late and applauded his captain’s performance saying: “He thoroughly deserved his two goals today and he proved his commitment to club by signing his new deal and on netting four away from home for the fifth time this season.

"We are down to the bare bones upfront but we scored goals and could have scored from  every attack.

"We have a very young squad who play better away from home as the home team have to come out and attack. 

"I am not a person who dwells on negatives but losing is part of football, what we need to do is keep to the positives and we will be where we want to be.”

Attendance: 2351 (373 away supporters)

Rochdale:4-4-2.  Spencer, Kennedy, McArdle, Stanton (Holness 40), Ramsden, Rundle, Jones (Basham 68), Perkins, Higginbotham (Muirhead 68), Le Fondre, Howe

Subs not used: Buckley, D’Laryea

Booked: None

Mansfield: 4-4-2. Muggleton, Jelleyman (J D’Laryea 46), Baptiste (Arnold 64), Buxton, Mullins, Atkinson, Briggs, Dawson, Hamshaw, Louis, Boulding.

Subs not used: White, Holmes, Wood

Booked: Louis 74

Attempts (on target): Mansfield 8 (1) Rochdale 11 (7)
Free kicks: Mansfield 13  Rochdale 12
Offside: Mansfield 3  Rochdale 2
Corners: Mansfield 7  Rochdale 3

Referee: Mr P Armstrong