Rochdale 1 - 1 Aldershot

Rochdale edged a point nearer to safety after this tight but scrappy game. George Donnelly poked Dale into the lead after Michael Rose played him in but Aldershot levelled when substitute Adam Mekki fired home from close range after Josh Lillis fumbled a high ball into the area.

Aldershot arrived at Spotland at the bottom of League 2 and desperate for points whilst Keith Hill’s side still needed a couple of points themselves to secure their league status.

The first half was a poor, scrappy affair with chances at a premium and it was the visitors with the only real chances in the opening 45 minutes.

Craig Reid forced a smart save from Lillis from distance when he flung himself to his left.

The best chance of the half came with Danny Rose teasing back post cross headed towards goal but Lillis clawed the ball away before the home defence hacked clear.

Dale started the second half much brighter.

Jason Kennedy volleyed over with the homes side's first real attempt at goal.

Dale took the lead when Michael Rose’s perfectly weighted through ball found Donnelly who, with the ‘keeper bearing down, managed to poke the ball beyond Young and in off the far post.

The home fans sensed victory against the team bottom of the pile and when Young spilled Grant's 30 yard strike, Donnelly raced in but the keeper gathered the loose ball.

When Aldershot leveled Dale keeper Lillis was incensed. The stopper came to gather a high punt into the Dale area but fumbled under pressure with the ball dropping to substitute Adam Mekki to turn home. Lillis was adamant he was impeded but referee Nigel Miller gave the goal.

Dale seemed rattled and if Lillis was at fault for the goal he made up for it moments later with a wonderful save from Hall. The midfielder’s thunderbolt striker was tipped onto the under side of the bar by Lillis.

As the game neared its conclusion, the visitors started to get nervous as Dale piled on the pressure.

Donnelly should have done better when clean through but a heavy touch allowed Young to smother.

Grant had a glorious chance to seal the win but fired over with only the keeper to beat after good work from Donnelly.

The final chance fell to Aldershot and they really should have secured a valuable win with it. Former loanee at Spotland Paul McCallum turned Cansdell-Sherriff inside the area and fired a low shot across the face of goal and narrowly wide.

Hill's side is limping towards the finishing line, one point at a time. With six games remaining they just need one more win to see them over the 50 point mark, which should bring safety.

Attendance: 2280

Rochdale: Lillis, Kennedy, Rose, Edwards, McIntyre, Cansdell-Sherriff, Cavanagh, Henderson, Thompson, Donnelly, Grant
Subs: (not used) Collis, Rafferty, Logan, Barry-Murphy, Haworth, Thomas

Aldershot: Young, Herd, Tonkin, Morris, Vincinti, Forbes, Reid, Bradley, Hall, Goulding (McCallum 65), Rose (Mekki 65)
Subs: (not used) Lancashire,Risser, Cadogan, Morris, Roberts

Referee: Mr N Miller
Assistant Referees: Mr I Dudley & Mr D Gratton
Fourth Official: Mr M Amphlett