Football: Rochdale 1 - 3 Portsmouth

Aaron Wilbraham’s stunning goal couldn’t stop Rochdale losing to unbeaten Portsmouth as Kenny Jackett’s side climbed to the top of the table.

Wilbraham’s first goal in Dale colours was one to remember as he hit a superb dipping volley from 25 yards out but Portsmouth hit back with three goals to take the points and top spot in the division.

 Jamal Lowe’s close range finish sent the sides in level at the break but once Bret Pitman turned the ball in at the near post with 20 minutes left of the game, there was no coming back for Dale.

Defender Matt Clarke rifled in a third with ten minutes remaining to seal the win as Dale’s leaky defence conceded their 23rd goal in just ten games.

After conceding four goals at Sunderland last weekend, Dale manager Keith Hill made three changes to his starting line-up to face a Portsmouth side yet to lose this season in the league. Jimmy McNulty was preferred to Harrison McGahey whilst David Perkins and Jordan Williams started ahead of Calvin Andrew and Matty Gillam, who dropped to the bench.

A very vocal near 1,000 travelling Portsmouth fans were silenced early on as Rochdale took the lead in spectacular fashion. A header forward found Wilbraham, who with his back to goal, and fully 25 yards out, flicked up the ball before turning and lashing an unstoppable volley over MacGillivray for his first Dale goal.

Portsmouth almost hit back immediately when Jamal Lowe crashed a shot off the crossbar with Josh Lillis seemingly beaten.

Goalmouth action was rare in an even contest.

Rathbone sent a volley well wide whilst Callum Camps free-kick was a comfortable stop for the Portsmouth keeper.

Bret Pitman has been a thorn in the Dale side for a few years now, having scored two in each of the last two meetings between the tow sides, and it was his clever build up play that lead to the equaliser for Portsmouth. Pitman turned his marker inside the area before sending a low ball across goal, which Lowe turned towards goal.

Full back Sam Hart had to be replaced just before the break after picking up a knock and Andy Cannon replaced him.

The substitute almost edged Dale back in front early in the second half. Cannon and Rathbone linked up well down the left with the former firing a shot that was only parried by MacGillivray. Rathbone on the follow up was wayward with his shot.

The next goal was looking like it could be crucial and that’s the way it proved as Portsmouth went in front. The pace of Ronan Curtis caused problems for Dale all afternoon and when he strode away down the left he played in Brown who in turn found Pitman with the captain nipping in at the near post ahead of Delaney to divert the ball past Lillis.

With Dale looking to try and push forward in search of an equaliser, it left them open at the back and when a swift counter attack resulted in a corner ball, Portsmouth scored a third.  Curtis’ corner was only partially cleared to central defender Matt Clarke who nutmegged one Dale player before lashing the ball past Lillis from close range.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McNulty, Delaney, Hart (Cannon 45), Camps (Clough 77), Rathbone, Perkins, Williams (Andrew 50), Henderson ©, Wilbraham
Subs: (not used) Norman, MJ Williams, Morley, Gillam

Portsmouth: MacGillivray, N Thompson, Clarke, Whatmough, Brown, Naylor, Close, Evans (B Thompson 75), Lowe, Curtis (Wheeler 89), Pitman © (Hawkins 90)
Subs: (not used) McGee, Burgess, Mason, Haunstrup

Referee: Mr J Busby
Assistants: Mr I Dudley and Mr N Barnard
Fourth Official: Mr D Street

Attendance: 3,796 (966 from Portsmouth)