Rochdale 2 - 0 Bristol Rovers

Rochdale moved to within a point of leaders Chesterfield after seeing off a stubborn Bristol Rovers side. Scott Hogan put Dale into the lead just before the hour mark when he finished off from close range a Matty Lund centre. Just four minutes later Graham Cummins raced onto a Jack O’Connell through ball before firing home from inside the area to secure the points.

Josh Lillis was recalled to the starting 11 after missing the Boxing Day game through illness. George Donnelly got a place on the bench after nine weeks out injured.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with neither side creating much in front of goal. The main talking point early on was the nasty clash of heads between Olly Lancashire and Matt Harrold; the Dale man coming off worst and needing stitches to a cut above his left eye.

Almost 11 minutes went by with Rochdale down to 10 men whilst Lancashire received medical treatment.

The visitors rarely threatened but did test Lillis when Brown found space in the area but his shot was pushed wide.

The football was being played by Dale but they couldn’t break down the Rovers defence.

Hogan’s powerful run from deep inside his own half deserved more when his pass found Lund but the midfielder shot over.

Joe Rafferty seemingly forced a smart save from Mildenhall with a dipping volley but the referee awarded a goal kick.

Dale started the second half at a higher tempo and started to press the visitors back. Henderson volleyed well over when he should have done better.

With 58 minutes on the clock, Dale took the lead. Good work from Rafferty in the corner led to the ball being played to Lund who put a wicked cross in from the right where Hogan was on hand to turn home from close range for his 11th of the season.

Soon afterwards it was 2-0 through Cummins. The on loan Preston striker raced onto a long O’Connell clearance before firing past Mildenhall.

The remainder of the game was played out without real incident as Dale ended 2013 on a high.

The Dale boss had wished for his side to reach 40 points by the half way stage of the season these three points duly gave Keith Hill his wish.

A top of the table clash awaits on New Year's Day as Rochdale travel to second placed Scunthorpe United.

Attendance: 2576

Rochdale: Lillis , Rafferty, O’Connell, Lancashire, Rose, Lund, Henderson, Vincenti, Cavanagh (c), Hogan , Cummins
Subs: (not used) Collis, Bennett, Eastham, Hery, Done, Allen, Donnelly

Bristol: Mildenhall, Smith, Parkes (c), McChrystal, Brown, Norburn (Beardsley 72), Clarke, O’Toole, Harrold, Clarkson (Harrison 83), Santos (Beardsley 62)
Subs: (not used) Patterson, Harding, Gough, Lockyer

Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Assistant Referees: Mr R Jones & Mr O Yates
Fourth Official: Mr D Richardson