Rochdale 1 - 2 Fleetwood

A dubious first half penalty helped Fleetwood dispatch a below par Rochdale at a wet and windy Spotland. Antoni Sarcevic converted from 12 yards after Rhys Bennett’s challenge on Charles Taylor was deemed unfair. Scott Hogan levelled from close range just before the interval but visiting skipper Mark Roberts headed home after Nathan Ponds effort came back off the post.

Awful weather conditions meant a pretty game was always unlikely between these two promotion rivals and it was the visitors who edged in front. A mazy run into the area by Taylor looked to have ended when he over ran the ball but when Bennett challenged the fullback, he fell to the ground with referee Clark pointing to the spot. The Rochdale players were incensed by the decision and once the arguments had calmed down, Sarcevic stepped up to drill the ball past Lillis.

Dale never really troubled Scott Davies in the visitors goal with Rose firing over the closest they got to a leveller until the 39th minute.

A left wing corner was headed at goal by Eastham with Hogan on hand to turn the ball home at the second attempt.

Dale came out for the second half looking a rejuvenated side and almost took the lead 30 seconds after the restart. Intelligent play from Henderson found Done but the former Barnsley man curled agonisingly wide from 18 yards.

Rochdale’s goal led a charmed life just minutes later when Evans’ drilled ball into the area picked out Blair but his volley came back off the post.

Jack O’Connell forced a fine save from his own goalkeeper when the defender inadvertently headed the ball with Lillis getting down very well to save.

For all of Dale’s build up play, the final third seemed lacking and they were hit with a sucker punch with 7 minutes remaining. A freekick on the left was whipped in with defender Pond rising; his header came back off the post for Roberts, who had the easiest of tasks to touch the ball home.

It was hard on Dale, who will feel they deserved a point out of the game, and with a tough game away at Southend next week, Keith Hill will have to pick up his side ahead of the long trip to Essex.

Attendance: 2,698

Rochdale: Lillis, Rose (c), Eastham, O’Connell, Bennett, Henderson, Tutte (Cavanagh 90), Dicker, Vincenti (Bunney 80), Done (Molyneux 62), Hogan
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Lancashire, Rafferty, Cummins

Fleetwood: Davies, Roberts (c), Pond, Evans (Murdock 78), Schumacher, Hughes, McLaughlin, Blair (Brown 60), Sarcevic, Taylor, Tyson (Carr 60)
Subs: (not used) Eve, Hogan, Creswell, Dieseruvwe

Referee: Mr R Clark
Assistant Referees: Mr M Amphlett & Mr S Meredith
Fourth Official: Mr S Lucas