Yeovil Town 3 - 1 Rochdale

Rochdale's League One status is hanging by a thread after another defeat. Coleman's men are now 11 points from safety with just 5 games remaining meaning they could be relegated at Spotland when they play Sheffield United on Tuesday.

Deep in trouble coming into the game, Dale's cause wasn't helped on 7 minutes when former Yeovil player Kevin Amankwaah gifted the home side the lead. A short back-pass to Lucas was intercepted by Franks who rounded the stopper to slot home.

The home side knew a win would almost guarantee them safety and went about capitalising on a disheartened Rochdale side. Jon Grounds tested Lucas from 25 yards whilst the left back saw another shot deflected wide.

Andrew Tutte, who spent some time on loan at Huish Park shot straight at Walker when he perhaps should have done better.

That chance was the turning point as soon after Yeovil doubled their lead. On loan Burnley defender Kevin Long had to go off due to an Achilles injury and whilst the Dale defence were settling down, defender Richard Hinds slotted home from close range.

Michael Symes missed a guilt edged chance from 10 yards when played in by Adams which just about summed up Rochdale's performance.

The frustrations were beginning to show as Adams and Tutte almost came to blows over who was taking a Dale freekick. In the end Gary Jones took charge and fired into the wall with Yeovil breaking on the counter attack but D'Ath curled wide.

Coleman's men almost got a goal back as half time approached but Akpa-Akpro's header was cleared off the line.

The second half began as the first ended with Dale on top. Kennedy volleyed wide after a good work by Widdowson down the left.

Yeovil looked a threat whenever they pushed forward and Akpa-Akpro had to be alert when Ayling's looping header looked destined for the top corner but the Frenchman was on hand to clear off the line.

The home side appeared happy to sit back and let Dale push forward, a move that almost cost them. A deep Tutte cross was headed down by Symes but Kennedy's stinging drive was blocked bravely by Hinds.

With 15 minutes left, The Glovers made it 3-0. Ayling's deep cross was clawed away by Lucas but the ball fell kindly to Williams who played in substitute Woods who calmly stroked the ball home.

With nothing to lose Dale attacked and got a goal back when Sub Obadeyi fired in a cross which was turned into his own net by Grounds.

Defeat leaves Dale knowing that it’s only a matter of time before relegation is confirmed and they return to League 2.

John Coleman spoke afterwards “Our defending for the first goal is ‘Keystone Cops’ stuff.

"Just when you’re looking to give yourself a platform and looking to build on the second half performance from last week, and you come out and give them a goal. People often talk loosely about gifting a goal, but that wasn’t pleasant.

"To play the ball back without looking where your goalie is, we encourage them to pressure us, and you just can’t do what we did.

"We seem to have an obsession at going backwards at the moment and I don’t know why that is. We are being punished for it.

"The second goal was just as bad for me. Its bobbled about in our box and it’s a powder puff goal.

"When you look at the general balance of the whole game, we have probably had more chances than Yeovil. 3-0 amazingly flattered them. 3-1 flattered them. Winning possibly flattered them! The game could have gone either way.

"It was bad defending for the second goal, was that down to Kevin Long having just gone off with an Achilles injury? You will have to tell me that.

"The third goal is avoidable but Lucas is unsure whether to palm that away or let it run out.”

Rochdale: Lucas, Widdowson, Amankwaah, Long (Byrne 27), Holness (Obadeyi 58), Jones, Tutte, Kennedy, Symes, Adams (McConville 58), Akpa-Akpro

Subs (not used): Edwards, Thompson

Yeovil: Walker, Ayling, Huntington, Blizzard, Williams (Agard 81), Upson, D'Ath, Morris (Woods 69), Franks, Grounds, Hinds

Subs (not used): N'Gala, Haynes-Brown, Stewart

Referee: Mr J Adcock
Ass Referees: Mr A Bennett and Mr A Hopkins
4th Official: Mr M Russell