Carlisle 1 - 1 Rochdale

Dale again come from behind to earn a point in another pulsating contest this time away at 10 man Carlisle United.

Gary Jones levelled from the spot after referee Neil Swarbrick awarded a penalty when Nicky Adams was upended in the box, a challenge by Lubomir Michalik that earned the big Slovakian a second yellow card and an early bath. Former Dale loanee Gary Madine netted his 12th of the season after reacting quickest to James Chester’s bullet header coming back off the cross bar.

Keith Hill made one change to the side that drew with Swindon 3 days ago; Brian Barry-Murphy brought in to replace Jason Kennedy in a squad rotation tactic. On loan Bobby Grant started again upfront alongside O’Grady.

Rochdale started the game much the better of the 2 sides and made all the early running with Nicky Adams instrumental in everything the visitors did. His first telling cross came just before the quarter hour mark when he turned his man on the left and sent a delightful cross to O’Grady but the big man’s header was straight at Collin in the home goal who gathered at the second attempt.

The Cumbrians always looked a threat with the pacey Zoko causing the Dale defence problems. His trickery saw a wild cross into the box which Wiseman put out for an unnecessary corner which was swung in with the Ivorian stooping but heading over.

Adams’ good forward play was almost undone just 60 seconds later when he sold Holness short with a pass which Madine gleefully accepted but the Cumbrian leading scorer dragged his shot wide from inside the box.

After a positive start by Hill’s men, it was the home side that were beginning to look the more dangerous and when Ben Marshall whipped in a delightful ball from the right, Wiseman had to be at his best to clear from under his own bar. From the resultant corner United took the lead when James Chester saw his header tipped against the bar by Lillis with Madine knocking home the rebound, virtually unchallenged.

The home side almost doubled their lead within minutes when Zoko made space for himself but couldn’t test Lillis.

Rochdale needed to get back on terms as soon as possible with the home crowd getting behind their players. A ball down the right channel by Dawson found Thompson who’s intelligent ball across the edge of the box picked out Adams but the on loan Brentford man fired over. Adams was again at the heart of the Dale attacks when this time he was picked out by O’Grady but his acrobatic shot was blocked by Michalik. Thompson was next up for Dale when he found himself on the edge of the box but Taiwo came flying in to tackle and the chance went.

The second period started much like the first with Dale pressing. Inside 60 seconds Dale had a free kick after Michalik brought down O’Grady – a challenge that saw him enter the referee’s notebook. Moments later Hill’s men should have been level when O’Grady was picked out by Thompson but the usually reliable striker got it wrong and ballooned his shot well over.

The major talking point of the game came on the hour mark when Kennedy’s delightful through ball was dummied by O’Grady but chased down by Adams who got into the box ahead of his marker. Just as the former Bury player was about to strike at goal, the already cautioned Michalik was adjudged to have hauled down Adams and referee Neil Swarbrick had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and swiftly issued the on loan Leeds defender a second yellow card. Dale’s captain Gary Jones stepped up to dispatch the spot kick to net his 10th of the season but more importantly, drag his side back on terms.

The remainder of the game was played out with Dale pressing and the home side defending and trying to hit on the counter attack. Rochdale almost took all 3 points in stoppage time but Dawson’s bullet header from a Kennedy corner was off target.

Another creditable draw for Keith Hill’s men on a ground that they haven’t won on in 8 years although having played for over half an hour with an extra man and created some good opportunities, the Dale boss may be a little disappointed his side didn’t take all 3.

Keith Hill, speaking after the game, said: “We are always happy with a point in this league, we need points. Every point we get this year is a positive point, there are no negative points regardless of whether the opposition are down to 10 men or not.

“I am really pleased with the point but not with the performance; not at all. It should have been better in the first half and as a consequence of them going down to 10 men we had a lot of possession but I don’t think were too much of a match for them after the first 10-15 minutes. We conceded from a set play again. Players not doing their jobs. They are heavily responsible for some of the results we are getting. They have got to take a look at themselves and can’t keep hiding behind the reasons myself and Flicker (Dave Flitcroft – assistant manager) keep giving for us not being able to compete in this league. They have got to start accepting responsibility for the performances.

“I’m finding it very difficult to understand to evaluate some of our performances, perhaps there is less pressure when we go behind in a game. I’m stuck as to how to go forward with the players we have got and the best way to do it. You try and change it, try and get the balance right between defending and attacking. Brian Barry-Murphy was brought in just to rotate it a little. I thought about changing it more; perhaps giving Gary Jones a rest but without him we haven’t got any goals!”

 

Carlise Scorer: Madine 21

Rochdale Scorer: Jones 62 (pen)

Att: 7,412

Carlisle United: Collin, Simek (c), Taiwo, Zoko (Curran 73), Marshall, Madine, Berrett, Chester, Michalik, Grella (Hurst 64), Cruise (Robson 24).
Subs (not used) Caig, McKenna, Swinglehurst, Todd 

Rochdale: Lillis, T Kennedy, Dawson, Holness, Wiseman, Adams (Elding 74), Jones (c), Barry-Murphy (J Kennedy 57), Joe Thompson, Grant (Done 57), O'Grady.
Subs (Not Used): Widdowson, Akpa-Akpro, Josh Thompson, Edwards

Referee: N Swarbrick
Assistants: S Duncan and S Smith
Fourth Official: P Curry