Rochdale 0-2 Leyton Orient

There was to be no fairytale for Dale skipper Gary Jones on his 500th appearance for the club as his side went down 2-0 to Leyton Orient. Jimmy Smith’s unchallenged header on 12 minutes and a 65th minute David Mooney strike settled the outcome of this bottom table clash.

Rochdale manager Steve Eyre was dealt a blow in the build up to the game after goalkeeper Dave Lucas fell ill and had to leave just half an hour before kick-off. That meant that Jake Kean was recalled to the starting line-up as were Jason Kennedy and Nicky Adams; Brian Barry-Murphy and Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro dropped to the bench.

The game was an even contest in the early stages with the home side forcing a succession of corners. Pim Balkestein came closest in the opening exchanges but his diving header was easily saved.

The O’s arrived at Spotland on the back of some good results and took the lead on 12 minutes. Kean had to be alert to push a weak but deflected shot around the post and from the corner, Jimmy Smith was allowed to rise unchallenged to powerfully head home.

Some of Dale’s build up play was excellent but the final ball was lacking. An intricate passage of play involving Adams, Grimes and Eccleston led to the latter baring down on goal but a last gasp challenge from Spring denied the on loan Liverpool man.

Kean was again called into action when a curling shot was tipped away whilst the ball into the area from the corner led to a looping header which Kean got down well to hold.

With 10 minutes left of the first period, Steve Eyre’s side upped the tempo. Firstly Grimes’ turn and shot was expertly tipped over by Butcher whilst Grimes’ flick from an Adams corner found Trotman sliding in at the back post but the defender couldn’t keep the ball down.

Eccleston’s run and shot forced another save from Butcher whilst Adams sent a terrific ball across the face of goal but nobody had gambled and the danger passed by.

Jason Kennedy had a glancing header easily saved by Butcher in the 4th minute of first half stoppage time.

Rochdale came out for the second period looking to hit back immediately. A swift move ended with Adams whipping another ball in but again it evaded his team mates.

Dale did have the ball in the net on the hour mark but Tutte’s strike was ruled out after Kennedy had caught Cuthbert in the build up.

With Eyre’s men pushing forward they left themselves vulnerable at the back and were 2 down on 65. A break down the left by Porter left Darby in his wake with the ball being laid off by Cureton for the on rushing Mooney who slammed the ball through Kean to double the visitor’s advantage.

The goal brought about a double change for Dale with Eccleston and Darby being replaced by Akpa-Akpro & debutant Stephen Jordan.

Adams tried his luck from 20 yards but Butcher pushed the ball away whilst in stoppage time Butcher had to be at his best to deny Akpa-Akpro who thought he had headed the ball beyond the keeper from Jordan’s cross.

In the end it was disappointment for the home fans who saw their side slip into the bottom 4 of the division and with tough games coming up at MK Dons and Preston, Eyre needs to rally his troupes for next week.

The Dale manager spoke after the game: “That was our least flattering scoreline of the season but not our worst performance. We were just starting to get a foot hold in the game when they scored and I was disappointed that it came from our throw in on the far side of the pitch. It was a good header but the lads are unhappy in there as they all have jobs to do at set pieces and one of the lads in there has held his hands up and said he didn’t mark properly. We grew into the game but couldn’t get through the middle so we went wide through Nicky Adams who rightly got man-of-the-match but we couldn’t get on the end of his crosses.

“We tried to re-encourage at half time but midway through the second half we found ourselves 2-0 down.

“Dave Lucas was constantly being sick in the dressing room so we sent him home. We turned to Jake (Kean) and said it’s a funny game but you’re in and time to take your chance which I’m not convinced he did but it is difficult for a young keeper when he comes under pressure but we all need to be better.

“I was delighted with Stephen Jordan when he came on. He will be in the team from now as he is a good leader and the fact he passed to a Rochdale player helped! We would have liked to have taken something from this game then we could go to MK Dons without the pressure but we will go there and compete.”

Att: 2322

Rochdale: Kean, Darby (Jordan 67), Holness, Trotman, Balkestein, Tutte (Gray 81), Jones (C), Kennedy, Adams, Eccleston (Akpa-Akpro 67) , Grimes

Subs: (Not Used) Edwards, Barry-Murphy,

Leyton Orient: Butcher, Cuthbert, Forbes, Cox, Dawson (C), Lisbie (Cureton 24), McSweeney, Porter (Odubajo 90), Spring (Laird 67), Smith, Mooney

Subs: (Not Used) Cestor, Lovelock

Referee: Mr J Adcock
Ass Ref:    Mr M Duncan, Mr W Grunnill
4th Off:    Mr B Toner