Bristol Rovers 2-1 Rochdale

Rochdale will be wondering how they lost this game at a wet and windy Memorial Stadium. George Donnelly was the guilty party as he missed a hat full of chances with Keith Hill's side made to pay.

Youngster Ellis Harrison netted twice for Bristol Rovers to seal the points, Dale substitute Michael Rose had fired his side level with 15 minutes to go.

The game was in major doubt all morning with referee Darren Sheldrake carrying out four pitch inspections after overnight rain had left standing water with the game finally given the go ahead at 1.30pm.

Dale started very well and should have tested home keeper Steve Mildenhall early on. Good work from Joe Thompson down the left made space for a cross but Donnelly fired over from inside the area.

Keith Hill had to make a change to his team early on when Rhys Bennett came off worst in a robust challenge; the defender leaving after the game on crutches. Michael Rose replaced at right back.

The change seemed to unsettle Dale, Jim Paterson hitting a powerful shot which Josh Lillis could only parry. Kevin McIntyre was on hand to clear.

Bobby Grant was a real thorn in the side of Rovers, cutting in from the right onto his favoured left foot but it was on the occasions when he switched to the left that Dale looked dangerous.

A Grant cross from the left was put on a sixpence for Donnelly six-- yards out but the striker headed wide when he should have done better.

All of Rochdale’s best chances were falling to the former Macclesfield striker but Donnelly wasn’t making them count.

Rose’ inviting cross to the near post was aimed at Donnelly but he couldn’t get a decisive touch and Mildenhall pushed away.

Rovers could probably count themselves lucky to keep 11 men on the field after John-Joe O’Toole’s clash with Phil Edwards. O’Toole, unhappy at not being given a free-kick by the referee, reacted angrily to Edwards’ challenge and seemingly grabbed the defender around the throat. The official was quickly on the scene to defuse the situation showing the Bristol man a yellow card.

Hill’s side were certainly in the ascendency.

Grant’s quick breakaway from a Bristol corner caught Rovers short at the back. He played in Henderson who clipped the ball over the on rushing Mildenhall only for Lee Brown to slide back to block on the line.

With virtually the last kick of the first half, Mildenhall denied Grant with a superb diving save after the striker had cut onto his left and curled a shot that looked to be heading inside the far post before the stopper turn around the post.

A dark cloud descended over The Memorial Stadium at half time and the start of the second half was played in torrential rain and thunderstorms. The 156 Dale fans, stood in an uncovered terrace, were being battered by the elements although the optimism was high after a first half dominated by their side.

With a strong wind behind them, Rovers set about trying to break the deadlock.

O’Toole’s snap shot was easy picking for Lillis.

Rochdale didn’t allow the elements to dictate the game and were soon on the attack and again it was Donnelly who should have scored. Grant's left wing cross was perfect for Donnelly but he could only guide his shot against the outside of the post with the goal gaping.

That miss was to prove crucial as Dale went behind. A fantastic turn on the left flank by Harrison left Rose out of position and the winger cut inside Edwards before unleashing a rocket of a shot from 20 yards which beat Lillis to open the scoring.

Dale reacted well to going behind and continued to probe. They got back on terms 13 minutes later through Michael Rose. The former Colchester man fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Mildenhall’s goal for deserved parity.

The killer blow for Dale came six minutes from time. A quick counter attack down the right found Hitchcock in space, his cross was bundled towards goal by Brunt with Lillis blocking but the ball spun out to Harrison who made no mistake.

It was a devastating defeat for Dale who were certainly the better of the two sides but paid the price for not taking their chances when they came.

With three home games in the next 10 days, Hill will want to get enough points on the board to ensure there isn’t a nervy end to the season and the planning for next term can then begin.

Keith Hill said: “It was an injustice with the scoreline but that’s all that matters. The stat is that Bristol Rovers scored two goals and we only scored one.

"You have to congratulate them but from my perspective I’m reasonably happy with the performance levels and the way in which we went about trying to win the game.

"The one thing we didn’t do was convert our opportunities and we had more than enough opportunities to have walked away with a healthy scoreline and a hat-trick for George Donnelly.

"The pitch was good. I don’t know what all the debate was about before the game. In fact, it was probably one of the better pitches we have played on recently, which allowed us to play that type of football.”

Attendance: 6691 (156 Rochdale fans)

Rochdale: Lillis, Kennedy, Bennett (Rose 8), Edwards, McIntyre, Cansdell-Sherriff, Tutte, Henderson, Thompson, Donnelly (Grimes 67), Grant
Subs: (not used) Collis, Rafferty, Cavanagh, Barry-Murphy, Haworth

Bristol Rovers: Mildenhall, Smith, Parkes, McChrystal, Brown, Paterson (Hitchcock 55), Woodards, O’Toole, Harrison (Tounkara 86), Richards, Brunt
Subs: (not used) Gough, McDonald, Goddard, Clarke, Lockyer

Referee: Mr D Sheldrake
Assistant Referees: Mr J Flynn & Mr C Richards
Fourth Official: Mr A Laver