Rochdale 1-1 Chesterfield

Keith Hill’s first home game since returning as Dale boss ended in stalemate after Bobby Grant scored a wonderful equaliser; only to be sent off late on for a late lunge. Jay O’Shea had given the Spireites the lead from close range 10 minutes after the interval. 

On a bitter sweet day for Dale fans who were celebrating the return of Keith Hill but also mourning the death of club legend Reg Jenkins who died earlier this week, it was the visitors who started the brighter.

O’Shea hit the woodwork with Josh Lillis just a spectator and Marc Richards couldn’t turn the ball home with the goal gaping from an O’Shea cross. Richards warmed the hands of Lillis when he capitalised on a poor defensive header by Edwards and at the other end, Dele Adebola got the better of Tommy Lee when he got to the ball ahead of the stopper but lost his bearings at the vital moment allowing Lee to pounce on the loose ball.

During Dale’s centenary season, keeper Tommy Lee was a cult figure with the Rochdale fans and the stopper showed his exceptional goalkeeping skills when he tipped Tutte’s shot around the post after good work from Adebola.

The early stages of the second half should have acted as a warning to Hill’s men when the dangerous Marc Richards had the ball in the net but was ruled offside. 5 minutes later and Chesterfield took the lead. Cansdell-Sherriff was caught in possession inside the Dale half and when the ball was eventually fed to O’Shea, the winger slotted home from inside the area.

The goal acted as a wake-up call for Dale who took the game to the visitors and were back on level terms 11 minutes later. Bobby Grant picked up wide on the right and curled a delightful shot into the top corner for his 13th of the season.

Grant almost doubled his tally when he was picked out by Rafferty after a driving run. The full back clipped a ball towards Grant who took the ball well on his chest but his powerful volley went agonisingly over.

Grant can be a real Jekyll & Hyde and this was certainly apparent today. His forward play was sublime at times but when he over ran the ball he was left diving in on Sam Togwell with referee Haines showing the striker a straight red card. From the stand it looked a little harsh but in this day and age of football, if you dive in, you risk seeing red.

Chesterfield felt aggrieved they weren’t awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time when Edwards tangled with Richards inside the area but as the visitors argued, Dale launched a final attack that should have produced the winning goal. A quick throw by Lillis picked out Donnelly whose perfect slide pass to substitute Barry-Murphy left the Irishman red faced when he hit a first time shot at Lee when he should have done much better.

All in all a fair result as the Keith Hill revolution continues at Spotland.  The manager spoke after the game: “I think a draw was a fair result. It’s the second game we’ve had and I’m learning about the players. After the goal we conceded I wanted a bounce from the players and I got one.

"In the second half we relaxed a bit and I’m happy with a point; we could have nicked it at the end but perhaps they could have had a penalty too so I’m happy.

"Bobby’s goal and his performance were superb. It’s difficult to stop him when he cuts in on his left foot from a wide position. You can’t legislate for the challenge he made. His intention is to get the ball but when the ball runs away from you like that you have a tendency to lunge and it can look worse than it is.

"Cansdell-Sherriff has come to the club as a defender but he did a job for me as we lost Cavanagh to injury before the game. Terry Gornell will be back in training on Monday, we will be hoping to bring a wide player in on Thursday."