Morecambe 1 - 2 Rochdale

Rochdale earned a well deserved three points against Morecambe to climb upto third in League 2.

Andrew Tutte’s deflected shot opened the scoring midway through the second half and Scott Hogan doubled Dale's lead with a superb strike four minutes later.

A late goal from Padraig Amond set up a nervy final couple of minutes but Dale withstood the late pressure.

With cup action taking centre stage for the last week, it was back to league action for Rochdale at Morecambe's Globe Arena.

A cagey first half was a bit of a non event with the only real chance of the opening 45 minutes falling Dale’s way late in the half. A deep left wing cross was put back into the mix by Rafferty but Henderson was foiled by Roche in the Morecambe goal.

Morecambe came out for the second half looking brighter but the Rochdale defence never really struggled with the pressure being applied.

Hogan fired over when well placed whilst Henderson’s defence splitting pass sent Tutte away down the right. The midfielder’s ball into the area was stopped by Hughes and when Lund hit a powerful drive at goal, Hughes was on hand to bravely block.

Dale deservedly took the lead just after the half hour mark with a goal that had more than a hint of luck about it. Tutte’s angled drive looked easy pickings for Roche but he and captain Hughes got in each others way and the ball squirmed over the line off the skipper.

Morecambe looked a beaten side and even more so when Hogan doubled the lead with terrific strike. Eastham’s raking 50 yard pass found Hogan on the left, and after beating his man, shot into the top corner giving Roche no chance.

Rochdale should have added more goals to their tally in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t quite find the net.

Matt Lund beat Roche with a volley but it went the wrong side of the right hand post and just seconds later headed agonisingly wide of the opposite post.

Morecambe set up a tense finale when Padraig Amond raced onto a Kevin Ellison through ball and slotted past Lillis but Dale saw out the final minutes to seal a first ever away win against Morecambe.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire (c), Eastham, O’Connell, Rose, Lund, Tutte, Cummins (Vincenti 87), Henderson, Hogan
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Bennett, Allen, Hery, Bunney

Morecambe: Roche, Kenyon, Hughes (c), Diagne, Wright, Sampson, Williams (Amond 65), Ellison, Marshall (Mwasile 72), McCready, Fleming (McGee 87)
Subs: (not used) Arestidou, Threlfall, Drummond, Doyle

Referee: Mr E Ilderton
Assistant Referee: Mr P Davidson and Mr J Hull
Fourth Official: Mr G Hilton