Rochdale 1 - 0 Torquay

Rhys Bennett netted the only goal of the game as Keith Hill got his first win since returning to the Spotland hotseat. Andy Haworth’s perfect through ball was volleyed at goal by Bennett but Michael Poke got down well although he couldn’t stop the rebound falling to the defender who had the easy task to tap home.

The Dale boss resisted the urge to start his two new signings so Michael Rose and Ritchie Jones had to make do with a place on the bench.

Brian Barry-Murphy was recalled to the starting 11 with Joe Rafferty dropping out meaning a switch around with Bennett moving to right back, Cansdell-Sherriff going into the heart of defence and Barry-Murphy in midfield.

The early chance fell to the visitors when Cansdell-Sherriff was caught in possession outside his own area by Rene Howe. The former Dale striker raced away and tried lifting the ball over Lillis but the stopper stuck out a right hand to divert the ball away.

Hill’s side were playing some good football and edged in front. Andy Haworth spotted full back Bennett making a run into the area and coolly played the ball through the defence. Bennett’s side footed volley was stopped by Poke but Bennett had an open goal to score his second of the season.

Dale were in the ascendency and when Mansell’s short backpass was read by Donnelly, the striker closed down Poke who raced out of his area to block; seemingly with his hands, but referee Davies waved away Dale’s appeals for handball.

The visitors had chances Billy Bodin at the heart of their attacking moves. The left winger saw his turn and shot zip over the bar from 12 yards and moments later he headed over from a right wing cross.

Haworth was causing Torquay no end of problems with his pace and trickery and when he raced away down the right he fed Donnelly but the big man saw his shot well saved by Poke.

Rochdale’s patient passing game was frustrating Torquay who were chasing shadows at times. Gornell dragged a good chance wide whilst Tutte sent a powerful shot into the side netting with Poke beaten.

The visitors were nearly left red faced when Dale substitute Ashley Grimes raced away with the Gulls back-line appealing for offside – not realising their skipper Mansell was lay injured playing the striker onside but he shot wide.

It was an important win for Keith Hill’s side who were starting to look over their shoulder at teams in the lower reaches of League 2. With games coming up against Barnet and Accrington in the next 10 days, Hills men will be looking to push further away from the bottom and maybe start to close in on a top seven finish.

Keith Hill spoke afterwards: “That was my 99th League victory. I’m really satisfied with that because to generate belief about what we are trying to create on the training pitch we need results. We are turning an idea into a good idea with results like that.

"We looked quite solid except for the mistake that Shane (Cansdell-Sherriff) made early on in the game.

!I’m pleased we kept a clean sheet and it’s great to get the three points on the board.

"It was a great save from Josh (after the mistake by Shane), it’s a match winning save. It’s won us the game when you think about the impact that save has had on the rest of the game. He doing well, two clean sheets out of four and if we keep that ratio up we will be successful.

"Rhys Bennett put in a man-of-the-match performance today; there’s a difference between that and the Chesterfield game where he got a man-of-the-match award.”

Attendance: 2351

Rochdale: Lillis, McIntyre, Edwards, Bennett, Tutte (c), Kennedy, Cansdell-Sherriff, Barry-Murphy, Haworth (Rose 70), Donnelly (Grimes 55), Gornell
Subs: (Not used) Collis, Rafferty, Adebola, Logan, Jones

Torquay United: Poke, Nicholson, Leadbitter, Downes (Macdonald 65), Saah, ,Mansell (c), Jarvis, Howe, Bodin (Benyon 82), Craig (Macklin 57), Easton
Subs: (Not used) Rice, Lathrope, Stevens, Cruise

Referee: Mr A Davies
Assistant Referees: Mr A Greenwood & Mr N Sharp
Fourth Official: Mr S Lucas