Rochdale 2 - 2 Notts County

Rochdale 2 - 2 Notts County

Rochdale were cruelly denied three points after a controversial stoppage time equaliser from Notts County. Having trailed to a Mike Edwards goal just before half time, Dale hit back straight after the interval. Joe Rafferty’s ball into the area was picked up by Dawson who was seemingly bundled to the ground but Henderson was on hand to steer home his 10th of the season from close range. Peter Vincenti headed home Stephen Dawson’s left wing cross to turn the game around. Matt Done hit the post as Keith Hill’s men pressed to extend their lead until the controversy took over. With four minutes added time shown on the fourth official's board, Notts County levelled five minutes 20 seconds into time added on. A ball into the area should have seen Ronan Murray and Garry Thompson flagged offside but the assistant kept his flag down. When the ball fell for Murray, Josh Lillis was quickly out to gather but was clattered by the striker. The loose ball fell to Thompson who tapped home from close range, with the Dale players surrounding referee Mathieson protesting but to no avail.

A lot of the pre-match build up regarded the return of Rochdale record appearance holder Gary Jones. Jones, who now plys his trade with Notts County, made his first return to Spotland since leaving in 2012.

Dale Manager, Keith Hill’s pre-match preparations were thrown into chaos just 25 seconds into the game when goalkeeper Conrad Logan went down injured after collecting a high ball into the area. The on loan Leicester man couldn’t continue with boss Keith Hill saying afterwards his loan spell was over due to the seriousness of the injury sustained.

Dale first choice keeper Josh Lillis, who is returning from a serious knee injury himself, came on to replace Logan.

Lillis denied Jones a goal on his return to his spiritual home with a flying save from a free-kick.

With three minutes remaining of the first half, County took the lead. Whitehouse’s right wing cross was met by Edwards who fired home from inside the area.

Whatever Keith Hill said at half time had the desired effect as Dale levelled just 20 seconds after the restart. Rafferty’s ball into the box found Dawson who went to ground looking for a penalty although Ian Henderson made sure by smashing the ball beyond Carroll to level.

Dale started to control the game and went close to taking the lead on 54 minutes. A monumental midfield battle between Jones and Dawson ended on this occasion with the current Dale man coming away with possession before feeding Henderson. He played a great first time ball to Done but the striker’s shot came back off the inside of the post.

Peter Vincenti forced a wonderful save from keeper Roy Carroll from a Rose corner but the veteran couldn’t do anything to stop Vincenti five minutes later. Dawson’s pin-point cross found Vincenti who headed home from close range to give Dale the lead.

With Dale seemingly in control, it was over to the officials to take centre stage in stoppage time. Even the official Notts County Twitter feed said they thought the goal should have been ruled out with Gary Jones saying afterwards he felt his side were lucky to be awarded the equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Keith Hill spoke to the media for almost 10 minutes after the game about the officials but couldn’t fault his players for their hard work and endeavour.

With the busy festive period next up, the Dale boss might have to pick his players up after this emotional roller coaster.

Attendance: 2,814

Rochdale: Logan (Lillis 4), Rafferty, Eastham, Lancashire (c), O’Connell, Rose, Dawson, Lund, Vincenti (Bennett 84), Henderson (Andrew 87), Done
Subs: (not used) Noble-Lazarus, Hery, Cwyka, Camps

Notts County: Carroll, Adams, Mullins (c), Hollis, Edwards, Hall (Traore 82), McLoughlin (Petrasso 73), Whitehouse, Jones, Smith (Murray 67), G Thompson
Subs: (not used) McKenzie, C Thompson, Bishop, Pilkington

Referee: Mr S Mathieson
Assistant Referees: Mr N Hopton & Mr G Mellor
Fourth Official: Mr N Sharp