Hartlepool United 0 - 3 Rochdale

Hartlepool United 0 - 3 Rochdale

Rochdale maintained the pressure on the teams above with a clinical display against Hartlepool. Three second half goals earned the points for Dale as they moved up to fourth in Sky Bet League Two.

Michael Rose, who missed last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Leeds, returned to the starting 11 in place of Joe Bunney, but not in his usual left back role, instead Rose adopted a left wing position with Matty Done keeping his full back slot. Scott Hogan, who was this week the target of Peterborough United, started up front alongside Ian Henderson.

Dale survived an early scare after Olly Lancashire hauled down Luke James on the edge of the area. Jordan Richards hit the post with the resultant free-kick with Christian Burgess seeing his weak side footed effort from the rebound blocked on the line.

Dale just didn’t seem themselves as they struggled to get a foothold in the game, with the usually reliable Matt Lund failing to make an impact. The Dale boss brought the playmaker off after 21 minutes, replacing him with Donnelly. Hill confirmed afterwards that Lund was suffering with a slight injury.

Hartlepool were certainly edging the battle.

Lillis denying James on the half hour mark when he raced off his line to smother the attack.

Poole thought he had opened the scoring on 40 minutes but Lillis had to be at his best to tip the striker's snap shot over.

George Donnelly went close for Dale with a 30 yard drive that had Flinders beaten but the ball dipped over the bar.

Rochdale started the second half a little more like the Rochdale we have been used to seeing of late and took the lead four minutes in, albeit through fortuitous circumstances. Donnelly tried a shot from close range but missed the ball; Burgess tried to clear, but the ball hit Donnelly and crept over the line.

That goal livened the game up but Dale still seemed in control. That said, Franks deflected shot squirmed wide for Hartlepool with Lillis rooted to the spot.

Dale doubled their lead through the skipper Cavanagh. A corner ball was headed partially clear by Baldwin with Cavavangh on hand to send a ferocious volley at goal which was too hot to handle for the keeper.

The second goal had Dale in control as they passed their way through the Pools backline at will. Henderson and Bunney got into good shooting positions but seemed reluctant to pull the trigger.

Deep into stoppage time, Dale made it 3-0 through substitute Cummins. A quickly taken free-kick by Vincenti found Henderson on the goal line who in turn pulled it back to Cummins. The on loan striker made no mistake from six yards out.

Cummins almost doubled his tally moments later, his curling effort crashing back off the post.

It was a thoroughly professional performance from Rochdale who keep league leaders Scunthorpe in sight at the top.

Rochdale: Lillis, Bennett, O’Connell, Lancashire, Done, Rose, Lund (Donnelly21)(Cummins 80), Cavanagh (c), Henderson, Vincenti, Hogan (Bunney 83)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Allen, Eastham, Rafferty

Hartlepool: Flinders, Richards, Baldwin, Burgess, Austin (c), Franks (Compton 67), Walker, Walton, Monkhouse, Poole (Rodney 61), James
Subs: (not used) Rafferty, Collins, Sweeney, Holden, Hawkins,

Referee: Mr R Lewis
Assistant Referees: Mr K Mulraine & Mr D Markham
Fourth Official: Mr G Hart