Rochdale 1 - 0 Coventry

Ian Henderson’s first half penalty earned Rochdale a valuable three points against Coventry City at Spotland. Henderson confidently dispatched his spot kick after Bastien Hery was felled in the box by Coventry keeper Ryan Allsop.

Coventry City had the better of the opening exchanges but Dale’s solid defensive line stood firm.

Simeon Jackson fired over whilst Frank Nouble was foiled by Logan.

The major talking point of the game came on 28 minutes when Dale were awarded a penalty. Bastien Hery found space in the box and as he tried to round Allsop in the Coventry goal, the keeper tripped the Frenchman and referee Gibbs pointed to the spot, showing just a yellow card. Ian Henderson made no mistake from 12 yards for his fifth of the season.

The second half almost started in disastrous fashion for Dale when Jim O’Brien spotted Conrad Logan off his line 30 seconds after the restart but his volley dipped just over.

The game was opening up into a real end-to-end affair with Dale’s counter attacking style proving a problem for Coventry.

Jack O’Connell hit the post with a volley from Scott Tanser’s corner.

Ian Henderson almost netted his second when he rounded Allsop but saw his shot cleared off the line with the goal gaping.

With 10 minutes left, Logan really had to earn his wages with a brave save from Coventry substitute Marcus Tudgay. The former Sheffield Wednesday striker broke clear of the Dale defence but couldn’t beat Logan who was quickly out to foil.

Dale manager Keith Hill threw on youth team scholar Nial Bell as the game entered stoppage time and the youngster almost made a dream debut with a goal with his first touch. Joe Bunney’s ball across goal just having too much pace for Bell who couldn’t stretch to make contact.

The full time whistle was greeted with great delight from anyone with a Dale persuasion and sends Rochdale to within touching distance of the top six of League One.

Attendance: 3,583

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty (Bennett 76), Eastham, O’Connell, Tanser, Hery (Bunney 58), Allen, Dawson, Henderson (c), Vincenti, Done (Bell 90)
Subs: (not used) Lancashire, Diba, Kennedy, Rose

Coventry: Allsop, Pugh, Willis, Webster (c) (Tudgay 75), Hines, Clarke, Thomas (Swanson 46), Fleck (Finch 46), O’Brien, Jackson, Nouble
Subs: (not used) Burge, Miller, Phillips, Haynes

Referee: Mr P Gibbs
Assistant Referee: Mr D Storrie & Mr D Gratton
Fourth Official: P Hodskinson