Port Vale 4 - 1 Rochdale

Calvin Andrew scored Rochdale's only goal of the game

Rochdale’s hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs are virtually over after defeat at Port Vale.

Two penalties and a string of defensive errors gifted Port Vale a comfortable win that would have been more convincing if it hadn’t been for the heroics of Dale keeper Josh Lillis.

The defeat leaves Rochdale five points adrift of the top six with just two games remaining.

Knowing a win was necessary to keep any play-off aspirations alive, Dale started brightly with Donal McDermott forcing a fine one handed save from home keeper Jak Alnwick.

The game became very scrappy with no real clear cut opportunities until seven minutes before the interval. A long punt upfield from Alnwick caught the Dale backline snoozing with Theo Robinson pouncing before curling a beauty into the right hand corner leaving Lillis with no chance.

Dale were relieved to see an offside flag rule out a Port Vale second when JJ Hooper side-footed home from close range only for Paul Hobday’s flag to cut short the celebrations.

Jim McNulty’s stray pass caused problems for Olly Lancashire and when Hooper’s shot was well saved, Sam Foley was felled inside the area according to the referee who awarded a penalty kick. Michael O’Connor stepping up to dispatch from 12 yards.

Dale boss Keith Hill made a brave triple substitution at the start of the second half - Grant Holt, Ian Henderson and Calvin Andrew all came on to replace Callum Camps, Donal McDermott and Joe Bunney.

With the trio on, Hill would have wanted 10 minutes to let them settle into the game but Dale hit self destruct once again. Joe Rafferty turned into danger and when trying to release the ball, he picked out Hooper inside the Dale half with the striker running away and slotting past Lillis.

Calvin Andrew fired a sensational goal to reduce the arrears but, as the game wore on, it was obvious Port Vale wouldn’t relinquish their lead.

Josh Lillis had a busy last 30 minutes as time after time his defence put him in the line of fire.

Robinson and Hooper could both have left Vale Park with the match ball but for the Dale keeper, whilst full back Ben Purkiss also got in on the act, again Lillis saving well.

O’Connor scored his second penalty of the day after Rafferty pushed Remie Streete inside the area to end the scoring.

Lillis again kept the scoreline down when he raced out to block Hooper’s shot after he beat the offside trap.

Mendez-Laing had a stoppage time shot cleared off the line.

Defeat means the play-off dream is all but over but the disappointment cannot hide what has been a good season Rochdale.

Attendance: 4,380 (324 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Lancashire, McNulty, Rose, Allen (c), Camps ( Henderson 46), McDermott (Holt 46), Mendez-Laing, Bunney (Andrew 46)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Vincenti, Cannon, Syers

Port Vale: Alnwick, Purkiss, Streete, McGivern, Duffy, Dickinson (c), O’Connor, Foley (Kelly 82), Brown, Hooper, Robinson (Turner 90)
Subs: (not used) Birchall, Yates, Moore, Boot, Campion

Referee: Mr A Madley
Assistants: Mr A Howson and Mr P Hobday
Fourth Official: Mr R Massey-Ellis