Bristol City 1 - 0 Rochdale

Rochdale were unlucky as they went down 1-0 at League leaders Bristol City. Dale had the better of the chances throughout the 90 minutes but couldn’t claw back Aaron Wilbraham’s 14th minute header. Peter Vincenti hit the woodwork, missed a virtually open goal and forced home keeper Frankie Fielding into a full stretch save.

Dale gave a debut to on loan goalkeeper Jamie Jones after his move from Preston North End. Rhys Bennett, Jamie Allen and Joe Bunney were also given starts as manager, Keith Hill made four changes from the midweek defeat to Sheffield United.

It was Dale who started the game much the brighter with Ian Henderson going close after just 90 seconds. Rose’s deep cross was headed narrowly over by the skipper.

Vincenti went even closer minutes later with a 30 yard freekick that crashed back off the crossbar.

Those missed opportunities came back to haunt Dale as the league leaders took the lead. Debutant Jamie Jones turned an Agard shot around his post but from the resultant corner Wilbraham opened the scoring. A right wing corner was directed towards goal by the home skipper giving Jones no chance.

Dale responded well to going behind and should have been level 11 minutes later. Henderson and Allen linked up well on the left with Allen forcing Fielding into a low save. The former Dale keeper could only parry the shot with Vincenti smashing the follow up into the ground and the ball bouncing up agonisingly over the bar.

The second half saw few chances but what chances there werew fell Dale’s way.

Ash Eastham's pinpoint cross was perfect for Vincenti but he was denied by a flying save by Fielding.

Henderson saw his looping header beat Fielding but land on the roof as the net as Bristol held on for the win.

Attendance: 11,841 (359 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Jones, Rafferty (Brandy 68), Eastham, O’Connell, Kennedy, Rose, Bennett, Allen, Vincenti, Bunney (Bell 75), Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Noble-Lazarus, Hery, Tanser, Logan

Bristol City: Fielding, Little, Williams, Flint, Smith, Freeman (Elliot 74), Cuningham (Bryan 63), Pack, Ayling, Wilbraham (c), Agard (Tavernier 88)
Subs: (not used) Richards, Smith, Emmanuel-Thomas, Wagstaff

Referee: Mr J Adcock
Assistant Referees: Mr A Hendley & Mr T Wood
Fourth Official: Mr A Turner