Rochdale 1-0 Bournemouth

Rochdale moved off the bottom of League One after leaving it late to beat playoff hopefuls Bournemouth with a stoppage time Gary Jones penalty. The Dale skipper comfortably dispatched the spot kick after Joe Thompson was pushed over in the area by Dan Strugnell. The game was held up for several minutes early on after Cherries full back Stephen Purches was stretchered off after breaking his leg in a challenge with Jason Kennedy.

John Coleman kept faith with the same side that narrowly lost out to Scunthorpe midweek. Michael Symes, on loan from Bournemouth, wasn’t eligible to play under the terms of his loan deal so was replaced on the bench by Stephen Jordan

On a cold blustery afternoon at Spotland Nicky Adams warmed the hands of visiting stopper Darryl Flahaven from 22 yards in the first chance of the game.

The game was held up when Purches went down under a rather innocuous challenge by Kennedy but the reaction of players and officials immediately showed the seriousness of the injury picked up that was later revealed as a double break of the right leg.

The stoppage took the flow out of the game but not long after the restart McDermott’s run and shot tested Kurucz.

Jones forced Flahaven into action on the half hour mark whilst the Dale skipper was once again denied moments later when his dipping effort was pushed over.

Burnley loanee Kevin Long thought he’d opened the scoring when he met a Barry-Murphy corner but Flahaven again denied.

Barry Murphy’s 20 yard freekick went agonisingly over whilst deep into 7 minutes of added time, Wes Thomas headed over a Marc Pugh cross when he should have done better.

The second period was slow to get going. Matt Tubbs had been prolific for Crawley before his big money move to Bournemouth but the striker saw his sliding shot graze the outside of the post after good work from Thomas.

Coleman’s side took the game to the Cherries just after the hour mark. A flowing move down the right involving Kennedy, Grimes and Jones ended with the ball into Adams who from 6 yards forced a fine low save from Flahaven.

Clear chances were few and far between but last gasp defending by Zubar for the Cherries denied Jones when he found the ball at his feet inside the area but the Dale skipper wasn’t to be denied for long.

With the 4th official’s board showing 3 minutes of added time, substitute Joe Thompson was pushed over in the area by Strugnell. The Dale skipper stepped up to send Flahaven the wrong way and earn successive home win for the first time this season.

John Coleman spoke after the game: “Points are all that matter at this stage and I thought we deserved to win the game. We took the game to them and although they had a spell in the opening 15 minutes of the second half we took the game back. Both teams could have scored but on the balance of play we deserved the win. We showed the players where we thought they could improve after Tuesday and they took that on. Our passing was a lot better today and the only thing missing today was a few more goals. I was delighted with the appetite that they showed, the application that they showed. Both side tried to play and the groundsman should take a lot of credit as the pitch was superb for this time of the season and that helps us play football. The pitch on Tuesday wasn’t conducive to the football we want to play. The players today deserve the plaudits as they worked their socks off right until the end. You wouldn’t want anybody else taking that penalty other than Gary Jones. We will go to Charlton on Tuesday full of confidence. We won’t go there and just roll over for them.”

Rochdale: Kurucz, Darby, Amankwah, Long, Widdowson, Kennedy, Jones (C), Barry-Murphy, Adams (Jordan 90), Grimes, Akpa-Akpro (Thompson 75)

Subs (Not used): Lucas, Tutte, Holden

Bournemouth: Flahaven, Pugh (C), Arter, Thomas, Tubbs (Malone 85), McDermott (Fletcher 85), Zubar, Purches (Strugnell 13), Francis, Daniels, McDonald

Subs (not used): Stockley, Gregory

Referee:        Mr C Boyeson
Ass Ref:        Mr P Marsden & Mr S Oldham
4th Official:    Mr R Johnson