Rochdale 2 - 1 Port Vale

Rochdale 2 - 1 Port Vale

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Calvin Andrew’s 95th minute winner kept Rochdale on the fringes of the play off’s after a drab game at Spotland. The former Port Vale striker leapt highest to nod home a Callum Camps cross deep into stoppage time to earn Dale the three points.

With injuries playing havoc with Hill’s team selection, the Dale boss made three changes from the Good Friday defeat at Preston. Jamie Jones returned after missing out on Friday due to the terms of his loan deal from Preston. Joe Rafferty was utilised as a left back with Scott Tanser injured whilst Ruben Noble-Lazarus started on the wing with Joe Bunney injured.

The first half was virtually a none event with Noble-Lazarus firing wide from distance the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.

The second half was slightly better; Noble-Lazarus flashed a shot across the face of goal whilst Peter Vincenti fired a 28 yard free-kick over the bar.

Port Vale, who knowing defeat could see them slip closer towards the relegation places, rarely threatened Jones’ goal and when Tommy O’Sullivan got sight of goal, he didn’t just clear the goal frame but the Pearl Street stand as well.

With the game looking likely to end in stalemate, Dale’s Calvin Andrew stepped up to seal the points.

Michael Rose’s left wing corner was too deep but Camps picked up wide on the right before crossing for Andrew who headed home.

It was a win that keeps Dale four points behind the play off places with a game in hand and looking like pushing Chesterfield right to the end.

Attendance: 2,948

Rochdale: Jones, Rafferty, Eastham, Kennedy, Cannon (Camps 77), Rose, Bennett, Hery ( Andrew 58), Vincenti, Noble-Lazarus ( Logan 60), Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Brandy, Barry-Murphy, Hooper

Port Vale: Neale, Dickinson (c), Robertson, Duffy, Veseli, Birchall (Daniel 76), Brown, O’Sullivan, Marshall, Dodd’s, Pope (Williamson 47)
Subs: (not used) Johnson, Yates, O’Connor, Coulibaly, Campion

Referee: Mr A Haines
Assistant Referees: Mr A Pashley & Mr N Sharp
Fourth Official: Mr B Roberts