Chesterfield 2 (Conlon 68 pen, 83 pen) Rochdale 0

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Chesterfield v Rochdale - 3 April 2010

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Barry Conlon converted two second half penalties as Rochdale's lead at the top of league two was cut to seven points.

Ishmel Demontagnac's cross was adjudged to have been handled by Nathan Stanton for the first spot kick and then Rory McArdle tripped the winger for the second. Conlon's penalties were not the best but both found the net and that is all that counts.

Dale found themselves up against a former goalkeeper in fine form in Tommy Lee and he ensured the visitors did not find a way back into the game, most notably keeping out a Chris O'Grady shot that seemed destined to bring Dale level just after the first penalty.

The visitors should have led at half time but Jason Kennedy could not convert a near open net from four yards out, a defender somehow getting a block on his finish, deflecting the ball onto the crossbar.

Dale looked the more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock but the Chesterfield defence stood strong and kept them out. At the other end Frank Fielding was a bystander in the Rochdale goal.

The opening ten minutes were quiet as the two sides weighed each other up. There was a half chance for Chris O'Grady as Dale started to get their passing game going. Tom Kennedy fed the ball into the feet of the striker, who found room in the box to a fire a shot, which was blocked at close quarters by Kevin Austin.

The two defences were well on top in the early stages. O'Grady looked the most likely to unlock the Chesterfield door and he put another shot on target that former Da;le keeper Tommy Lee did well to gather with Chris Dagnall lurking to collect the pieces.

On half an hour the visitors should have been ahead. A quickfire break saw Dagnall put through into the box. Lee cut out his square ball with a strong wrist but when Joe Thompson gathered and back heeled the ball to Jason Kennedy four yards out a goal looked certain. Kennedy blasted and somehow the ball caught a defender, hitting the crossbar on its way over the top.

There had been little to trouble Frank Fielding in the opening forty minutes. He watched Wade Small's long range strike sail comfortably over and did similarly when Adam Rundle fired Barry Conlon's knock down well wide.

The home side offered more of a threat in the second half and Conlon came close to giving them the lead when Rundle miscued a shot across goal that the striker almost turned in at the back post.

Dale responded with another trademark counter attack. Dagnall was forced wide but was able to cut the ball back to the edge of the box for O'Grady, who dropped his shoulder to make space for a shot just wide.

The visitors upped the tempo and Lee did well to deny Dagnall with his knees after a nice one two between the striker and Jason Kennedy, the latter flicking the ball into the striker's path, who fired low across goal into Lee.

Suddenly the game had come alive and Fielding had to be at his best to deny Rundle a goal against his former club. Mark Allott threaded the ball into the winger's path, Nathan Stanton forced him wide but he was still able to dig out a shot destined for the roof of the net before Fielding diverted it over the top.

Chesterfield's second half improvement was rewarded in controversial circumstances when Ishmel Demontagnac cut inside Tom Kennedy from the right wing and made room for a cross. The ball appeared to strike the arm of Stanton at close quarters. The linesman raised his flag to his chest and the referee gave the penalty. Conlon stepped up and somehow his weak spot kick squirmed beyond Fielding and into the net.

Dale's response was instant but Lee made an unbelievable save from O'Grady to deny his former club what looked a certain leveller. Kallum Higginbotham picked out the striker in space eight yards out, he fired low across goal but Lee did superbly to turn the ball behind.

The save proved key as Chesterfield doubled their lead not long after. Demontagnac broke at pace from a cleared Dale corner. Ciaran Toner tackled the flying winger but the ball bounced up for him nicely to continue his run. There was always going to danger once he got into the box and one on one with Rory McArdle and another penalty was forthcoming when Demontagac cut inside and McArdle left a trailing leg to go over. Conlon again stepped up, again his kick was far from convincing but again it found the net.

That looked like game set and match and although Dale piled forward late on Lee was in such good form that it seemed certain to be one of those days for the league leaders. That was confirmed when the keeper flew in to save at O'Grady's feet in injury time. All afternoon it had appeared as though there was a force field surrounding the Chesterfield goal and that Dale were just never going to score.

Chesterfield: Lee, Whing (Niven 64), Austin, Breckin, Picken, Demontagnac, Gray (Hall 74), Allott, Small (Boden 87), Rundle, Conlon.
Subs (not used): Crossley, Lester, Boshell, Clay.

Booked: Whing, Rundle.

Rochdale: Fielding, Wiseman, T. Kennedy, Stanton (Dawson 72), McArdle, J. Kennedy (Higginbotham 65), Jones, Toner, Thompson (Obadeyi 77), Dagnall, O'Grady.
Subs (not used): Arthur, Flynn, Holness, Howarth.

Booked: McArdle

Attempts (on target): Chesterfield 7 (4) Rochdale 11 (7)
Free kicks: Chesterfield 15 Rochdale 20
Offside: Chesterfield 4 Rochdale 2
Corners: Chesterfield 4 Rochdale 8

Referee: P. Quinn.