Exeter City 1 - 2 Rochdale

Rochdale left it late in coming from behind to beat promotion chasing Exeter City yesterday. Bobby Grant's 94^th minute winner sealed a crucial 3 points in the fight for survival; with other teams in and around the bottom all picking up points. Jamie Cureton had given the Grecians an undeserved half time lead but Ian Henderson’s deflected shot looped over Krysiak.

The first half was dominated by Keith Hill's side who just seemed to lack that bit of quality when it mattered. Donnelly fired straight at Krysiak from 20 yards when he should have done better.

The best chance of the half fell to Cansdell-Sherriff who should have opened the scoring on 18 minutes but his header hit the post. A deep Henderson free-kick was spilled by Krysiak and the Australian defender was on hand to head the loose ball but with the goal gaping, it came back off the woodwork.

Dale were looking dangerous on the counter attack. Grimes saw a shot take a double deflection which took all the sting out and made easy pickings for the keeper whilst Henderson was denied by Coles on the line when he hit a first time effort beyond Krysiak.

Dale were sent a warning shot when the dangerous Cureton turned Cansdell-Sherriff on the edge of the area but Lillis was equal when he saved with his legs.

With the board showing 3 minutes of added time, the home side edged in front. A mix up between Cavanagh and McIntyre allowed Bennett to sweep the ball out to the left where Gosling whipped in a teasing ball. Cureton was on hand to fire home the opening goal.

The second half was one way traffic as Keith Hill’s side looked to get back on terms. A short backpass to Krysiak was charged down by Grimes who rounded the keeper but with a tight angle, Grimes was tackled by the glove-man who was quick to react to the danger.

The visitors were creating chances with Grimes having a couple of opportunities from outside the area but failed to test Krysiak.

With the game drifting towards defeat, Dale got back on terms; albeit via a wicked deflection. Henderson’s shot looped off the head of Molesley and over the stranded keeper.

That goal spurred on the visitors and they went close but Donnelly wasted a glorious chance when through.

As the game entered the 4^th minute of added time, Dale took the lead. Donnelly stole the ball in the middle of the pitch and played a tremendous pass to Grant. The striker clipped the ball over the on rushing Krysiak to seal the win; the first win at Exeter in nearly 13 years.

It was a crucial 3 points for Dale, who, heading into the last 5 minutes were just 3 points above the relegation places but their late double turned that into a 6 point gap. With many teams below having just 4 games remaining, it looks likely 51 points will be enough for the Spotland outfit to start planning for next season in League 2.

Keith Hill said: "We got what we deserved as our performance was good. You are thinking how are we going in at half time 1-0 down, then you think the chances we created in the second half. We have got ourselves another very good performance but we are staring defeat in the face again.

"To get the result in the manner that we played it’s a ‘double bubble’ for me and I’m delighted. If we hadn’t won I would have been disappointed, it was like Bristol Rovers all over again [2-1 defeat]. I would have been going home had we lost wondering how.

"It’s a great result and its a result we needed. It takes a little bit of pressure off us with 3 home games left. Theoretically we aren’t safe, but we more or less are now. I now want to start building because we need to. I don’t want us to be in a situation like Stockport are now; it can easily happen.

"I’m glad I came back when I did as the club needs a lifeboat; let’s hope we can save it."

 

 

Attendance: 3979 (110 Rochdale fans)

Rochdale: Lillis, Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, Rose, McIntyre (Rafferty 46), Cavanagh, Kennedy (Thompson 64), Grant, Donnelly, Henderson, Grimes
Subs: (not used) Collis, Barry-Murphy, Howarth, Gornell, Thomas

Exeter City: Krysiak, Tully, Woodman, Bennett, Baldwin, Cloes, Davies, Cureton (Chamberlain 90), Bauza (D’Ath 62), Molesley, Gosling (Keohane 68)
Subs: (not used) Evans, Amankwah, Dawson, Moore-Taylor

Referee: Mr P Gibbs
Assistant Referee: Mr R Hulme & Mr S Knapp
Fourth Official: Mr W Bull