Rochdale 1 -2 MK Dons

Rochdale’s final home game of the season ended in defeat after playoff bound MK Dons won 2-1.

Jay O’Shea’s third minute opener set the tone for the game and gave Coleman’s men an uphill battle to gain anything from the afternoon.

Substitute Dean Bowditch doubled the Dons advantage before Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro halved the deficit with 5 minutes remaining.

Coleman recalled Michael Symes to his starting 11 in the only change after the on loan Bournemouth striker missed last week’s game at Chesterfield through illness. Simon Hackney was given a place on the bench as was Reece Gray after the youngster returned from a successful loan spell at Hyde United.

The Dons came into the game knowing that if they matched or bettered Huddersfield’s result they would be in pole position to finish 4th; giving them home advantage in the second leg of the playoff game against the Terriers.

Karl Robinson’s side made the dream start when they went in front after just 3 minutes. Jay O’Shea firing a low shot that Matt Edwards in the Dale goal should have done better with when it went through his legs.

The game was played in wet, blustery conditions which made pretty football almost impossible. Joe Thompson capitalised on a stray cross field pass but fired straight at Martin when well placed.

Gleeson tested Edwards with an angled drive but the stopper blocked with his foot.

Seconds later and Edwards had no chance when O’Shea curled a shot beyond the keeper but the cross bar came to Dale’s rescue.

It was Dale who started the second half brighter. Akpa-Akpro’s pace gave him space to cross but Symes’ header wasn’t good enough to beat Martin.

From a Dale attack, The Dons doubled their lead. Chicksen picked off a Dale through ball before feeding Ibehre who out muscled Long and back heeled a through ball which found Bowditch, who with his first touch since coming on as a substitute, fired beyond Edwards.

Coleman introduced Simon Hackney and Reece Gray with Hackney making his debut for Dale after injury in pre-season ruined his campaign.

The winger was straight into the action but his dipping shot was comfortable for Martin.

Rochdale were starting to gain some momentum but Akpa-Akpro fired into the side netting from Jones pull back.

Defender Kevin Amankwaah hit a 40 yard thunderbolt that warmed the hands of Martin but with 5 minutes remaining Dale pulled a goal back. A deep Adams cross was headed back by Long to Akpa-Akpro who turned and fired into the top corner.

It was only a consolation for the home support who will be watching League 2 football next season with teams like Wimbledon and Dagenham arriving at Spotland.



Att: 2212

Rochdale: Edwards, Widdowson, Long, Amankwaah, Darby, Jones ©, Tutte (Gray 63), Kennedy, Thompson (Hackney 63), Akpa-Akpro, Symes (Adams 80)

Subs (not used): Lucas, Holden

MK Dons: Martin, Lewington (c), Mackenzie, Gleeson (Flannagan 72), Potter (McDonald 68), Chicksen, Williams, Ibhere, O’Shea, Chadwick, Galloway (Bowditch 57)

Subs (not used):McLoughlin, Smith

Referee: Mr M Brown
Ass Referees: Mr B Roberts & Mr M Salisbury
4th Official: Mr A Clayton