Rochdale 2 - 3 Chesterfield

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Rhys Bennett scored a late second for Rochdale but it wasn't enough and Chesterfield took the three points

Rochdale’s first home game of 2016 ended in defeat in a thoroughly entertaining encounter at a very wet Spotland Stadium. Jay O’Shea gave Chesterfield the lead. Ian Henderson’s diving header restored parity before two goals in two minutes ultimately cost Dale the game.

Gboly Ariyibi was shown a second yellow card with two minutes of the 90 remaining with Rhys Bennett heading in deep into stoppage time to set up a tense finale but Rochdale just fell short.

It was Rochdale who started the better.

Calvin Andrew flashed a 30 yard free-kick just wide.

Former Dale keeper Tommy Lee denied Donal McDermott.

Chesterfield, who thumped Shrewsbury 7-1 last weekend, then started to grow into the game and took a deserved lead just before the half hour mark.

A neat passage of play saw Jay O’Shea place the ball into the bottom corner from 18 yards out.

Chesterfield's Gboly Ariyibi was causing huge concern for Dale every time he broke with his pace and trickery, so much so that the Dale boss, Keith Hill, hauled off left back Michael Rose after thirty minutes, replacing him with Tom Kennedy.

It might have been different personnel for Dale but the attacking threat from Ariyibi was the same as he beat the full back time and time again.

Lee Novak thought he had doubled Chesterfield advantage when he tucked away an Ariyibi cross but an assistant's flag cut short his celebrations.

If that decision upset the travelling contingent, the next one certainly had them up in arms. In first half stoppage time, Ariyibi’s trickery gave him space with his shot deflecting into the net. As he wheeled away to celebrate, referee Carl Boyeson went over to discuss the passage of play with his assistant, with the end result being the goal ruled out for offside.

The jeers from the away stand on the half time whistle certainly told the official what the travelling fans thought, although replays later showed both decisions were correct.

Rochdale, who last week put in an outstanding performance at Walsall, came out for the second half looking much sharper and were back on level terms just short of the hour mark.

Lund’s wicked delivery was met by the diving head of Henderson for his 10th goal of the season.

Dale were certainly on top and were denied on more than one occasion by Lee; firstly McDermott and then Henderson.

With the Rochdale fans sensing their side could go on and win, it was Chesterfield who hit with a sucker punch of their own. Substitute Dan Gardner raced down the left before sending a perfect centre was turned in by Novak from inside the six yard box.

Two soon became three when Jim McNulty got the ball stuck under his foot allowing Ebanks-Blake to steal the ball and confidently tuck past Lillis.

Rochdale were given a lifeline when winger Ariyibi was shown a second yellow card late on, both cards for simulation, meaning Chesterfield had to play with ten men for the remainder of the game.

Rhys Bennett powered a header beyond Lee to close the gap to just one but Dale just couldn’t force the leveller despite pressure inside the an offside 18 yard box.

It was a disappointment for Dale supporters that Rochdale didn't take anything from the game but it was an entertaining 90 minutes of football.

Attendance: 2,965

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon, Lancashire, McNulty, Rose (Kennedy 30), Lund, Henderson (c), McDermott (Mendez-Laing 76), Allen (Bennett 50), Vincenti, Andrew
Subs: (not used) Diba, Rafferty, Alessandra, Noble-Lazarus

Chesterfield: Lee, O’Neil, Raglan, Hird, Donahue, Ariyibi, Morsy (c), Herd (Banks 65), O’Shea (Gardner 70), Novak, Ebank-Blake (Dieseruvwe 88)
Subs: (not used) Harrison, Chapman, Simons, Maguire

Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Assistants: Mr S Copeland and Mr R Wooton
Fourth Official: Mr C Akers