York City 0 - 0 Rochdale

York City 0 - 0 Rochdale

Rochdale stayed one point off top spot with a hard earned draw at York City. York had lots of possession in and around the Rochdale goal area but couldn’t breach a stubborn Dale defence.

The two best chances of the game fell Rochdale’s way with both Ian Henderson and Scott Hogan firing wide when through on goal.

With Jack O’Connell and Olly Lancashire suspended, it was a makeshift backline that Keith Hill named at Bootham Crescent. Joe Rafferty returned from injury so Rhys Bennett joined Ashley Eastham in the centre of defence as did Michael Rose with Matty Done playing left wing back.

On a poor pitch it was York who started better and perhaps should have gone in front inside 30 seconds. A slip by Rafferty allowed Carson the chance to cross but Chambers’ downwards header was easy for Lillis.

Another close shave for Dale came when Chambers picked Ryan Jarvis out well but the big striker fired wide from close range.

Graham Cummins should have done better for Dale. A counter attack from Dale saw Cummins felled on the half way line and Henderson caught York on the backfoot with his quickly taken free-kick. A flowing move from Lund and Cummins ended with the striker firing horribly wide.

The last kick of a poor first half saw home debutant keeper McCarey save well from Tutte’s angled drive.

Dale survived a huge penalty appeal just minutes after the restart. Jarvis felt he was pulled to the ground but referee Andy Davies waved away his appeals.

Neither side were really showing much of an attacking threat until the latter stages of the game.

Henderson’s snap shot drifted over whilst Lillis stuck out a foot to deny Jarvis.

Some great build up play from Dale deserved a goal but Henderson shot wide. Substitute Lee Molyneux linked up well with Henderson but the former Colchester man couldn’t hit the target from inside the area.

Scott Hogan curled a shot agonisingly wide as Dale finished the game well but a draw was probably a fair result in the end.

Hill will have been happy to take a point and a clean sheet from the game, although his side will have to play much better next week when they face League One Rotherham in the FA Cup second round.

Attendance: 3471

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Bennett, Rose (c), Done (Molyneux 79), Henderson, Tutte (Dicker 70), Lund, Hogan, Cummins
Subs: (not used) Cavanagh, Vincenti, Bunney, Allen, Thomson

York: McCarey, Oyebanjo (Brobbel 66), Davies, McGurk (c), Jarvis, Carson, Montrose, Lowe, Platt, O’Neill, Chambers (Coulson 76)
Subs: (not used) Clay, Murray, Dickinson, Puri, Chamberlain

Referee: Mr A Davies
Assistant Referees: Mr P Graham & Mr G Fyvie
Fourth Official: Mr A Madley