Rochdale 2 - 1 Accrington Stanley

Matty Lund pounced to score a stoppage time winner as Rochdale came from behind to beat relegation threatened Accrington Stanley. Lund scrambled the ball home after Joe Bunney’s header was well saved by Stanley keeper Bettinelli. Lund had earlier levelled the game with a fortuitous header after Graham Cummins header hit him and ricocheted in. Piero Mingoia had given the visitors the lead with a superb volley but Dale showed character to bounce back.

With Olly Lancashire suspended, Ashley Eastham started in defence whilst Ian Henderson returned after suspension at the expense of Peter Vincenti. Matty Lund and Graham Cummins started after injuries; George Porter and George Donnelly dropping to the bench.

With Dale having lost in midweek and Stanley battling for survival at the wrong end of the table, the early exchanges were scrappy as neither side wanted to give too much away.

Matt Done forced Bettinelli in to a smart save when his shot deflected off a defender whilst at the other end Murphy’s sweeping volley had Lillis rooted to the spot but the ball ended up in the side netting.

Bettinelli had to be alert to deny Rose after the former Colchester man’s free-kick deflected off the wall but the stopper re-adjusted his feet to push the ball away.

Dale showed more of an attacking threat in the second half as they tried to get their passing game going a little and went close through Cummins but he couldn’t hit the target.

Hesitation in the home defence almost gifted Accrington the opening goal just past the hour mark. An innocuous looking ball into the box wasn’t dealt with and after Lillis had pushed the ball out of the area, Murphy couldn’t beat the Dale keeper as he lay prone on the floor.

The opening goal came in the 71st minute via the boot of Piero Mingoia with a stunning volley. Henderson’s poor clearing header dropped to Mingoia who from 18 yards sent a powerful shot beyond the despairing dive of Lillis.

Henderson thought he had a hit a quick-fire leveller for Dale but an assistant's flag ruled out his shot.

With Hill preparing to make a triple change, Dale levelled via the face of Matty Lund. Rafferty’s ball into the area was headed back towards Lund, with the midfielder unaware as the ball hit him that it had bounced into the back of the net.

That goal was the little bit of luck that Dale have been missing in recent games and they were to get a bit more deep into stoppage time. Michael Rose’s left wing corner was met at the near post by substitute Bunney and although Bettinelli saved, Lund was on hand to bundle the ball home to steal the three points.

It wasn’t a classic Rochdale performance but it was an important three points to keep pace with the teams above, and with Dale travelling to struggling Northampton on Tuesday to play their game in hand, it's a chance to climb to the top of League Two.

Attendance: 2,841

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, O’Connell, Eastham, Done, Rose, Henderson (Bunney 84), Cavanagh (c), Lund, Allen (Vincenti 90), Cummins (Donnelly 77)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Bennett, Kennedy, Porter

Accrington: Bettinelli, Buxton (Odejayi 90), Winnard, Aldred, Wilson, Mingoia (Windass 90), Gray (Naismith 83), Joyce (c), Murphy, Hatfield, Molyneux
Subs: (Not used)Hunt, Atkinson, Bowerman, Webber

Referee: Mr A D’Urso
Assistant Referees: Mr I Dudley & Mr N Murphy
Fourth Official: Mr D Plowright