Preston North End 0-1 Rochdale

Nicky Adams’ late strike ends a run of 10 games without a win as Steve Eyre’s men earn a well deserved 3 points against Preston North End. Gary Jones had a second half penalty saved by the Lillywhites keeper whilst Neal Mellor missed an open goal when he hit the post from 3 yards. Dale had to endure some home pressure but resolute defending by the visitors saw the game through.

New signing Roland Bergkamp was given a start upfront alongside Ashley Grimes as Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro and Andrew Tutte dropped to the bench. Brian Barry-Murphy was again used as a left back as Eyre kept the same backline for the second game running.

In a fairly dour first 45 minutes, Tsoumou headed horribly wide from 6 yards and Forte headed over from inside the area when well placed.

Good work from Harry Bunn set up Grimes but he fired over when he should have done better whilst home skipper Alexander screwed a shot wide ion first half stoppage time.

The second half was a thoroughly entertaining affair with both sides looking to take the game to the opposition. Bunn was a thorn in the North End side all game and when he linked with Adams & Grimes, the City loanee shot just wide and into the side netting.

A minute later and Bunn was at the thick of things again when he was upended inside the area after a surging run. Dale skipper Gary Jones, on the day of his Testimonial dinner at the club, stepped up but saw his low spot kick saved by Stuckmann.

It looked like one of those days but Dale didn’t let their heads drop. Bunn again turned provider but Grimes dragged his shot across the face of goal.

At the other end, substitute Neal Mellor should have opened the scoring. A North End attack down the right led to a pin point cross to Mellor at the back post but the former Liverpool man contrived to hit the post when the goal was gaping from 3 yards out.

The home side were beginning to exact their authority on the game and sub Adam Barton thought he had opened the scoring but could only find the side netting. The Dale defence were throwing everything in the way of Preston’s attack with Holden charging down a Coutts drive whilst Holness blocked from Mellor.

The game was really opening up and Bunn forced a fine save from Stuckmann after the assistant managers son beat 2 men but couldn’t beat the big German keeper.

The travelling faithful had a scare with 14 minutes left on the clock when Stuckmanns long punt upfield evaded the Dale defence and found Mellor who with only Lucas to beat cleared the bar with his shot.

Lucas had to be alert moments later when Coutts got inside the Dale area and angled a drive at goal but the Dale stopper was equal to it.

The game looked set for a 0-0 draw until Adams popped up with the winner. Bunn’s work created space for a shot which Stuckman could only parry into the path of Adams who slid the ball home for his second of the season.

With a lead to defend Dale needed to be strong at the back and hearts were again in mouths as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. Paul Parry wriggled into the Dale area and looked set to pull the trigger when Adams slid in from behind and caught the defender who toppled to the ground. Referee Langford blew his whistle immediately but rather than award a spot kick booked Parry for simulation and awarded Dale a free kick. That was just the luck Steve Eyre’s side have been missing as from the press box it looked a certain spot kick.

Even the 5 minutes of added time couldn’t force a Preston leveller and Dale made it a first win in 10 and relieved the pressure slightly on manager Steve Eyre.

Eyre, said: “We are happy with the win and similar to the game last week at Bradford, going into the last few minutes at 0-0 you’re in the game. Last week we lost out to a wonder goal, this week we have scored at the right time. I believe, especially with the players we have brought in this last couple of weeks, we have a team that can compete. I looked to the sky when Jonah missed his penalty but I also looked to the same sky when Mellor missed his open goal. There is always that risk when you tackle from behind in the area that you’re going to give away a penalty but I didn’t feel it was to be honest. Harry (Bunn) is so hard to knock off the ball and causes real problems for defenders but he now needs to learn to guide the ball past the keeper rather than at him.”
       
Att:10,456

Rochdale: Lucas, Jordan, Holness, Holden, Jones (C ), Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Adams (Eccleston 89), Grimes (Tutte 73), Bunn, Bergkamp (Akpa-Akpro 82)

Subs (not used): Edwards,  Darby, 

Preston NE: Stuckman, McLaughlin, Carlisle, Morgan, Coutts, Tsoumou (Mellor 25), Mayor (Nicholson 60), Parry, Alexander (c), Forte, Clark (Barton 54)

Subs (not used):McLean, Arestidou

Referee: Mr O Langford
Ass Referee: Mr A Scregg, Mr S Stockbridge
4th Official: Mr G Johnson