Rochdale 2-1 Bristol Rovers

John Coleman’s Rochdale moved to within three points of second place in N Power League 2 after beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 with the visitors ending the game with nine men.

Dale went behind early on from the spot after an alleged fouled by Rhys Bennett but Dale levelled after a well worked corner routine finished off by Andrew Tutte. Bobby Grant gave the home side the lead 14 minutes into the second half with a deflected shot whilst Rovers were then reduced to nine men. Skipper Garry Kenneth was given a second yellow for fouling Grant on 71 minutes and he was joined down the tunnel by substitute Elliott Richard for a crude lunge on Ashley Grimes deep into stoppage time.

Coleman named three changes to the stating 11 that went out of the FA Cup in midweek. Ryan Edwards, Bobby Grant and new loan signing Terry Gornell came in with Matt Pearson, Ashley Grimes and George Donnelly dropping to the bench. Rochdale lined up in their all yellow away kit as their usual home strip clashed with Bristol Rovers’.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with Grant heading agonisingly wide whilst Lillis plucked an Anyinsah header from looping over his head.

The referee took centre stage when he awarded Rovers a penalty after an attack which had broken down. Stunned looks on those around the ground were met with silence as nobody quite knew why the decision had been made. David Clarkeson stepped up and sent Lillis the wrong way.

Rochdale’s reaction to going behind was a positive one with some flowing football leading to numerous chances. Gornell and Grant linked up well but Ethridge saved from Grant’s shot with the keeper also keeping out a Phil Edwards piledriver after a powerful run. Ethridge just about kept out a Tutte drive from 30 yards; after spilling the shot he recovered to stop the ball crossing the line. Grant saw a 30 yard free kick saved low to his left by the stopper.

Just before the half hour Dale were level. Jason Kennedy’s low corner towards the edge of the area was stepped over by Phil Edwards with Tutte on hand to slam home his sixth of the season.

The home side continued to dominate after the leveller.

Tutte again warmed the hands of Ethridge from distance and good work from Adebola made space for Grant but he couldn’t beat the stopper who was having a fine game.

The second period wasn’t quite as frenetic as the first but Rochdale took the lead just on the hour mark. Grant picked up on the right before cutting inside onto his left foot and curled a ball, via a deflection off Broghammer, into the top corner.

The game was seemingly over as a contest on 71 minutes when visiting captain Garry Kenneth saw red. The defender clipped Grant when he was goalbound with the referee having little option but to show a second yellow.

The remainder of the 90 was played out with a few half chances for either side. Cavanagh’s free kick went close whilst Gornell’s angled drive went over. At the other end Lillis had to gather a Tom Eaves effort with the tricky Anyinsah seeing his shot deflected wide.

With the four minutes of stoppage almost at an end, Rovers were reduced to nine men. Substitute Elliott Richard’s late lunge at Grimes brought a straight red card; and ensured the points would be staying at Spotland.

Rochdale are up to fifth in the table just three points off second placed Port Vale, and with games coming up against lowly opposition, Coleman’s men will be looking to pick up as many points as they can whilst momentum is with them.

John Coleman said: “If you ask the fans, they will be happier with that performance. They clapped the lads off at half time and again at the end. I think the players have got to get the fans going and they did that today.

"We attempted to force the game and showed the appetite to make things happen. We have had more shots on their goal today than we have in the last three home games.

"The referee said it was a clear penalty although when I asked him who it was on he couldn’t give me an answer! He’s closer than me so you have to go with his judgment.

"Their keeper has made a few good saves and when Josh was called upon he’s done what he needed to.

"When we play well we are a good football side.

"Today we have hit the 30 point mark which is always a good milestone.”

Attendance: 2204

Rochdale: Lillis, P Edwards, McIntyre, R Edwards, R Bennett, Cavanagh (c), Tutte, Kennedy, Gornell (Grimes 89), Grant, Adebola (Donnelly 83)
Subs:(not used) Barry-Murphy, Pearson, Craney, Smith, Rafferty

Bristol Rovers: Ethridge, Smith, Patterson, Woodards (Clucas 65), Kenneth (c), Parkes, Clarkeson (Broghammer 46), Anyinsah, Brown, Riordan (Richard 69), Eaves
Subs:(not used) L Brown, Virgo, Clarke, Walker

Referee: Mr S Duncan
Assistant Referee: Mr P Hodkinson& Mr M Salisbury

Fourth Official: Mr S Lucas