Rochdale 1 - 2 Walsall

Rochdale’s 100% start to the season was ended in a narrow defeat. Walsall, also unbeaten so far, scored twice after half time to seemingly end any hopes of a Dale comeback but Calvin Andrew’s close range header gave life Dale. Peter Vincenti had a goal ruled out for offside whilst Neil Etheridge denied McDermott as Dale just fell short on the night.

The Rochdale manager, Keith Hill, made just one change from the side that beat Blackpool at the weekend, Rhys Bennett was preferred to Joe Bunney in midfield in a slight change of formation.

Walsall were like greyhounds out of the traps and almost took the lead inside 20 seconds. An innocuous ball in from the left was spilled by Lillis but the keeper was quickly up to deny Tom Bradshaw at point blank range.

Dale settled and had a couple of half chances; McDermott’s raking ball was teasing with Henderson unable to reach inside the area whilst Henderson did well to beat O’Connor inside the area, his pull back was beaten away by Etheridge with Bennett loitering.

Walsall’s style of football was very easy on the eye as they broke with pace and precision passing. One such move saw Keiron Morris drive a shot just the wrong side of the post.

The visitors, cheered on by a small but noisy band of supporters, certainly ended the half on the front foot. Mantom’s deflected shot almost caught Lillis out whilst a mistake by McNulty allowed Morris in, his powerful shot beating the Dale keeper but was off target.

Hill made a couple of changes before the hour mark and soon after Dale had their best attacking spell. Henderson played in substitute Joe Bunney, Etheridge quickly out to block his effort with the ball falling for Vincenti to slide it into the net but his celebrations were cut short by an assistant's flag.

Dale were in the ascendancy and had three opportunities within a sixty second period. Walsall defender James O’Connor almost put the ball over his own keeper when trying to pass back; Etheridge just about scrambling back to push the ball behind for a corner; Bunney then saw two shots well saved by the visiting keeper.

It was during this spell of Dale attacks that Walsall took the lead. Another quick counter attack saw full back Taylor get on the end of a Milan Lalkovic centre to fire past Lillis.

Dale didn’t let going behind affect them too much and McDermott had a glorious chance to restore parity moments after. A poor kick by Etheridge fell to the winger but he atoned for his error by bravely blocking the shot.

Soon afterwards it was 2-0 and it owed to a huge slice of luck. Sam Mantom’s shot looped up off a defender and over a stranded Lillis.

The second goal could have seen the Dale players heads drop but instead they rallied and got back within touching distance. Tom Kennedy’s brilliant cross was met by Henderson with his header crashing off the top of the crossbar. Calvin Andrew rose highest to just about head over the line, the assistant referee raising his flag to signal the ball had crossed over.

The Spotland faithful believed a comeback was on the cards with everything being thrown at the visitors.

Etheridge was strong and claimed anything that came near his goal and in the end time just simply ran out.

The Dale boss was disappointed to lose the game but encouraged by his team's desire to fight until the end, something they will have to do again and again this season if they are to repeat last season’s highest ever finish.

Attendance: 2,381

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (Bunney 57), Lancashire, McNulty, Kennedy, Bennett, Vincenti (Andrew 69), Allen (c), Camps (Rose 52), McDermott, Henderson
Subs: (not used) Collis, Eastham, Alessandra, Tanser,

Walsall: Etheridge, Demetriou, O’Connor, Downing, Taylor (Henry 74), Chambers (c), Morris, Flanagan (Forde 66), Mantom, Lalkovic (Sawyers 66), Bradshaw,
Subs: (not used) Baxendale, MacGillivray, Preston, Cook

Referee: Mr D Webb
Assistant Referees: Mr M Coy & Mr S Clayton
Fourth Official: Mr J Johnon