Rochdale 0 - 1 Exeter City

Rochdale 0 - 1 Exeter City

11 More Image(s) In Gallery

Rochdale slipped to a third successive defeat after Exeter left Spotland with a narrow 1-0 win. Exeter’s leading scorer Jamie Cureton raced away from a Richard Logan flick for his 15th goal of the season.

Keith Hill named the same side that were unfortunate to lose to Huddersfield in midweek, although a slight change in formation saw Will Atkinson sitting just behind the front two of O’Grady and Dickinson.

The home team started as they have in recent games and asked all the questions of the opposition without finding the answers.

Will Atkinson was lively in the opening minutes for Dale but the first attempt fell to the visitors. A searching cross field ball by Jamie Cureton found Liam Sercombe who dropped his shoulder to bypass Widdowson but his shot was smothered by Fon Williams.

Dale’s forward play started to bear fruit as they searched for the opener with Dickinson stealing the ball on the goal line and playing in Atkinson but the midfielder’s weak shot didn’t test Hamer.

Gary Jones stung the hands of Hamer minutes later with a powerful drive but the keeper saved at the second attempt.

Atkinson had the chance to turn provider when well placed but his pull back went behind all of the on-rushing Dale players.

At the other end David Noble almost opened the scoring but his dipping volley went just over, whilst in an almost mirror image Cureton saw his volley flash over.

Liam Dickinson, starting his second game in a week, tested Hamer whilst O’Grady brought the best out of the visiting keeper with a powerful turn and shot.

Dickinson again found himself within shooting range and would have opened his Dale account but for a timely block from Exeter captain Taylor and the ball dropped into the hands of Hamer.

From the kick out, Hamer found the head of Logan whose flick evaded the Dale backline and found Cureton who calmly lifted the ball over the on rushing Fon Williams to open the scoring.

The goal was a hammer blow to Dale, who had been the better side up until that point but again found themselves behind.

Gary Jones almost levelled the game after he and O’Grady interchanged passes but the skipper shot wide.

Exeter should have gone in at the break two goals to the good when Tully sent a rasping drive at Fon Williams that the Dale keeper could only parry into the path of Logan who, with the goal gaping, could only smash his shot against the top of the bar.

The second half started much like the first with Dale seeing plenty of the ball.

O’Grady saw another turn and shot well saved whilst some great one touch football from Hill’s men deserved a goal but Jones’ shot was blocked at source.

Jones again warmed the hands of Hamer with a low drive whilst Goldbourne forced Holness to defend at the other end when he whipped in a delightful cross that the Dale centre back cleared from in front of his own bar.

Substitute Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro shot straight at Hamer with Dale’s last chance of the game.

The Dale boss spoke after the game: “Once they got their goal they did a job on us. They have got good players who can protect a lead and spend time on the ball. “It was a very good away performance.

“I’m really disappointed at the way we have conceded the goal; I thought prior to the goal it was an even contest and a good football match but when you concede that kind of goal when you’re at home, negativity creeps onto the pitch, players tighten up and don’t show the bravery that they should be doing.

“You need the confidence from the supporters to believe that the players can get something from the game and I don’t think that was evident.

“The foundations are strong but we are looking for the home supporters to lead when we are losing.

“We have done all our work in the preparation to this game, the players work is during the game.

“In the second half we didn’t really put them under enough pressure but we have another chance on Tuesday and we need the supporters to be behind the lads. They are going to make mistakes and they have got to be allowed to make mistakes as long as they learn from them.

“The players have got to be responsible for the team performance, once they have crossed that line they cannot keep turning to me and Flicker for the answers. We give them the answers during the week, they have to stand up during the games and be brave in the pursuit of three points.

“If it is necessary I will bring players in; before the transfer window shuts I would like to bring 2 players in.

“With the players we have got we shouldn’t be losing games but we have to stop going behind as we have a mountain to climb every time we do.

I don’t think Marcus Holness and Craig Dawson had a good game today, either individually or as a partnership. They are a partnership we have built our foundations on this season but mistakes are creeping in and as a centre half that can affect your game.

“I have Josh Thompson ready to come in so it may be time to have a look at him.

“We looked very vulnerable down the centre of the pitch with regards to the defence.

“We need more vocal leaders out there even if that means upsetting your own players. I feel Craig and Marcus are just too nice at this moment in time and I hope they develop that side of their game.”