Oxford United 1 - 1 Rochdale

Oxford United v Rochdale at the Kassam Stadium

A second half Matty Lund header earned Dale a point after coming from behind to draw with league leaders Oxford United. Lund got on the end of a Rhys Bennett cross to head home Dale’s first goal on the road this season in a game of very few clear cut opportunities. James Constable fired the hosts ahead midway through the first half after Josh Lillis had initially saved Danny Rose’ powerful strike but Constable was hand to fire home the loose ball.

George Donnelly returned after missing the Plymouth game in one of three changes made by Keith Hill. Brian Barry-Murphy and Rhys Bennett were given their first starts of the season ahead of Andrew Tutte and Jav Vidal.

The early stages were very cagey with Henderson firing narrowly over in Dale’s only foray forward in the opening exchanges.

Constable will feel he should have worked Lillis when Hogan failed to clear a corner and the big striker’s snap shot hit the side netting.

Oxford are the leading scorers in the division so far this season and they took the lead on 24 minutes through Constable. A deep right wing cross was headed down by Hall to Rose who struck a ferocious shot which Lillis managed to keep out but just when you want some luck, the ball dropped to Constable who fired into the roof of the net from close range.

Hill’s men reacted well to going behind and saw plenty of the ball but without the penetration up front.

George Donnelly showed good strength to turn and shoot but it was easy pickings for Clarke.

Whatever Keith Hill said in the half time team talk certainly did the trick as Dale came out all guns blazing for the second half and were level within five minutes. Bennett’s surging run down the right wing ended with a cross to the back post and Lund rising the highest to head home from inside the six yard box for his first goal since joining in the summer.

That goal sparked Oxford back into life but they couldn’t break down a stubborn Dale back line. When they did breach the defence, Lillis was on hand to repel their attack. Substitute Tyrone Marsh was brilliantly picked out inside the area and with just the keeper to beat, Marsh was foiled by Lillis with Constable’s follow up cleared by Lancashire.

In the end a draw was a fair result and will build Dale's confidence going into next weekend’s derby game at Spotland against Bury.

Hill has said he wants to bring in two new faces before the transfer window shuts on Monday as he continues to build his squad for the rest of the campaign.

Attendance: 5260 (203 Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Bennett, Lancashire (c), O’Connell , Rose, Henderson, Barry-Murphy, Lund (Hery 74), Vincenti, Hogan (Done 86)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Vidal, Bunney, Eastham, Gray

Oxford: Clarke. Newey, Wright (c), Constable, Potter, Hunt, Hall, Whing, Rose, Mullins, Kitson (Marsh 68)
Subs: (Not used) Raynes, Williams, Davies, Crocombe, O’Dowda. Ruffels

Referee: Mr F Graham
Assistant Referees: Mr A Fox & Mr J O’Brien
Fourth Official: Mr C Lymer