Rochdale 3 - 2 Northampton Town

Rochdale rose to the top of League Two after a late, late show at Spotland. Two one down with just three minutes of normal time remaining, Dale scored twice through Michael Rose and George Donnelly to maintain their unbeaten start to the season at home and climb two points clear at the top.

Northampton arrived at Spotland with just one win from 11 games and in the relegation zone just above Accrington but stunned Spotland when Luke Norris fired them in front after just 28 seconds. From a throw in on the right, Norris picked up before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 30 yards over Lillis and into the top corner.

The silence around Spotland lifted on 25 minutes when Ian Henderson scored his third goal in two games from close range to level the scores. The former Northampton player fired an angled drive through Duke to equalise.

As the game neared half time, Northampton again silenced Spotland when they re-took the lead with another great strike. Stuart Dallas ran at Michael Rose down the right and when the Dale full back hastily dived in to tackle, the pacey winger ran past the grounded Rose. With men in the area expecting a cross, Dallas fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a very acute angle.

Dale responded well with Hery seeing his shot blocked and Rose on the follow up striking the top of the bar.

Northampton defended well for the majority of the second half, keeping Dale at bay in ‘negative’ area’s of the pitch.

Dale saw plenty of the ball but rarely tested Duke. Henderson and first half substitute Andrew Tutte had shots blocked as the homes side looked to maintain their unbeaten run at home.

With the clock ticking down, Rose levelled with a delightful free-kick. Dicker was upended 20 yards out and Rose stepped up to place the ball around the assembled wall and inside the near post to level the game.

Dale threw everything at their fragile visitors and secured the three points deep into stoppage time. George Donnelly ran at the Northampton back line and when they backed off, fired a shot at goal which Duke managed to get a hand to but the power was too much and the ball squirmed over the line.

The win was Dale’s eighth in nine games and sent them clear at the top of the table.

Although there is a long way to go in the season, Rochdale are looking strong, even though this game wasn’t one of their better performances so far this season.

Attendance: 2362

Rochdale: Lillis, Rose, Vincenti, O’Connell, Lancashire (c), Rafferty, Henderson, Dicker, Lund (Tutte 43), Cummins (Donnelly 52), Hery (Allen 67)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Eastham, Bunney, Bennett

Northampton: Duke, Amankwah (Collins 14), Widdowson, Reid, Doumbe, Carter, Morris (c), Hackett, Deegan, Dallas, Norris (Toney 74)
Subs: (not used) Demontagnac, Tozer, Emerton, McNamara, Harriott

Referee: Mr M Naylor
Assistant Referees: Mr M Dicicco & Mr R Wooton
Fourth Official: Mr R Bartlett