Rochdale 2 - 3 MK Dons

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Rochdale 2 - 3 Milton Keynes

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Rochdale’s hopes of reaching the end of season play offs were dashed after this narrow defeat to promotion chasing MK Dons. Two defensive mistakes gave the Dons, who are still in the hunt for second place, a 2-0 advantage before Peter Vincenti tapped home from Ian Henderson’s cross. Substitute Daniel Powell squeezed the ball past Jamie Jones from a very narrow angle to restore their two goal advantage but Henderson’s neat finish late on set up a tense finale but Rochdale fell just short.

Coming into the game the mathematics meant Dale had to win with either Chesterfield or Sheffield United losing to take the race for the play offs to the final day next Sunday. The visitors knew only a win would realistically keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive.

An early warning for Dale came when Deli Ali saw his powerful volley come back off the inside of the post with Jones beaten.

Dons then took the lead after some slack play from Andy Cannon. The full back was caught in possession on the edge of the box with Samir Carruthers nipping in to fire past Jones from 18 yards.

The goal didn’t stop Dale’s flow and they really should have been level just nine minutes later. A quick break away by Henderson caught the visitors short at the back and when the striker picked out Callum Camps, the midfielder shot horribly wide when it looked easier to score.

That miss was to prove crucial as less than four minutes later the Dons doubled their advantage. Carruthers picked the pocket of Allen inside the area and fed Bowditch who sent a low shot into the bottom corner.

With the news coming in that Chesterfield were losing, Dale pressed.

Allen tried to atone for his earlier error but his shot lacked pace.

Calvin Andrew, Joe Bunney and Rueben Noble-Lazarus were sent on for Rochdale as they bid to revive their play off hopes and they soon got back into the game.

Andrew's flick found Bunney whose intelligent header forward picked out Henderson on the left wing. His cross was perfect for Vincenti who tapped home from inside the six yard box.

Chesterfield by this point were 2-0 down but another defensive slip gave Don's their two goal cushion once more.

Daniel Powell was too strong for Rhys Bennett as the substitute barged into the area. He still had a lot to do but from a very narrow angle beat Jones at his near post.

That cued the Dale fans to really find their voices as they tried to push their players on and with four minutes left Henderson set up a grand stand finish. The leading scorer latched onto an Andrew flick and finished with aplomb past Martin.

Five minutes of added time was shown by the fourth official with the visitors hanging on.

Henderson’s powerful ball into the box deflected off McFadzean but a back peddling Martin tipped the ball away for a corner.

In the end, Rochdale fell just short but that shouldn’t take away from what has been a remarkable season and the Spotland outfit is still on course for its highest ever league finish, which on such a low budget in relation to others is not something that should be brushed aside.

Attendance: 3,501

Rochdale: Jones, Tanser, Lancashire (c), Kennedy, Cannon, Bennett, Rose (Bunney 63), Allen (Andrew 54), Camps (Noble-Lazarus 54), Henderson, Vincenti
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Eastham, Logan Rafferty

MK Dons: Martin. Lewington (c), McFadzean, Kay, Spence, Bowditch (Powell 72), L Baker, C Baker, Carruthers (Hall 72), Grigg, Ali
Subs: (not used) Hodson, Hitchcock, Cole, Burns

Referee: Mr M Bull
Assistant Referees: Mr P Marsden & Mr D Richardson
Fourth Official: Mr P Dermot