Port Vale 1 - 0 Rochdale

Rochdale lost their first game in six with a narrow defeat at Port Vale. Michael Brown's goal just after the hour mark was enough to condemn Dale to defeat despite having the better of the chances.

With Ian Henderson suspended and Matt Lund jet-lagged after travelling with the Northern Ireland squad to Romania for last night’s Euro 2016 qualifier, Keith Hill made four changes to his starting 11. Joe Rafferty came back in at right back whilst Jack O’Connell was recalled after missing last weekend’s cup game at Northampton due to the terms of his loan spell. Calvin Andrew was given the nod up front whilst Jamie Allen returned from injury to captain the side.

On the back of three straight League wins, Dale came into the game in confident fashion and should have opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Calvin Andrew met a Rhys Bennett cross but the big striker’s free header was off target.

Port Vale almost took the lead four minutes later but for a wonderful save from Logan. Yates’ deflected shot was cleared off the line by Rafferty with the follow up falling to N’Guessan, who from seven yards out drilled the ball but Logan somehow, whilst sat on the floor, managed to raise his hands enough to block.

Jamie Allen saw a goal-bound shot blocked by the head of Robertson.

A good build up saw Allen warm the hands of Neal but the stopper was equal to his shot.

The second half saw Port Vale start brightly but it was Dale who went close, Allen’s dipping volley was acrobatically tipped away.

That save was a catalyst for Port Vale who 12 minutes later took the lead. A slip by Tanser gave space down the Vale right for Marshall to pick out Yates. The full back’s centre was headed away by O’Connell but only to Brown, who from 20 yards hit a scuffed shot into the turf which spun up into the top corner.

The goal unnerved the Dale backline with Port Vale almost gifted a second. Tanser’s short back pass allowed substitute Williamson to nip in but after rounding Logan he could only find the side netting with the goal gaping.

The Dale boss threw on Jack Muldoon and debutant Reuben Noble-Lazarus, with the latter going closest with a curling shot deep into stoppage time that didn’t trouble Neal.

It was a disappointing result for Dale in a game they could have won.

Attention now turns to the FA Cup as Northampton visit Spotland on Tuesday with Portsmouth or Aldershot awaiting the winners in the next round.

Attendance: 5,043 (566 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty (Noble-Lazarus 68), Eastham, O’Connell, Tanser, Bennett, Allen (c), Dawson, Rose (Muldoon 68), Done, Andrew (Lund 62)
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Lancashire, Hery, Cannon

Port Vale: Neal, Yates, Dickinson (c), Robertson, Veseli, O’Connor, Brown, Lines, Daniel (Birchall 87), Marshall, N’Guessan (Williamson 67)
Subs: (not used) Johnson, Dodds, Moore, Slew, Campion

Referee: Mr G Horwood
Assistant Referees: Mr R Bartlett & Mr M Russell
Fourth Official: Mr J Adcock