Sheffield United 1 - 1 Rochdale

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Andy Cannon scored his third goal in three games for Rochdale

Andy Cannon made it three goals in three games as Dale earned a share of the spoils at Bramall Lane. The youngster reacted quickly from a mistake by home keeper George Long to send Rochdale in at the interval 1-0 up.

Sheffield pressured but the Dale defence was seemingly up to the task until they switched off at a set piece, Billy Sharp finishing well from close range.

The Rochdale manager made one change from Tuesday evening, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing preferred up front with Samni Odelusi dropping to the bench.

The game had little in the way of clear cut chances, though Dale’s Ian Henderson was denied by a brilliant block by keeper Long just after the quarter hour mark. A lucky ricochet saw the ball at the feet of the Dale captain but Long was quickly out to save well.

Sheffield never really showed any attacking threat in the first half, Mark Duffy firing wide about the closest they came to Lillis’ goal.

With the game drifting towards the half time interval, Dale struck lucky after a goalkeeping mistake. Henderson’s deflected shot from the edge of the area looked simple for Long but he spilled the ball to Cannon who showed great composure to round the stricken keeper before slotting in.

The Sheffield supporters were certainly showing their discontent, especially after losing on the opening day and again to League Two Crewe in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Former Dale striker Matt Done couldn’t hit the target after he was picked out by Billy Sharp.

Leon Clarke grazed the post with a header as Sheffield started to step up a gear.

The equaliser, when it came, was all too simple and should have been dealt with better. Chris Hussey, renowned for his excellent deliveries from set plays, whipped a brilliant ball in towards the near post with nobody tracking Sharp who cushioned the ball past Lillis.

In the end it was a disappointing result for Dale although a first ever point picked up at Bramall Lane sees them side off the mark for the season.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McGahey, Canavan, McNulty, Allen, Henderson (c), McDermott, Cannon (Camps 78), Mendez-Laing (Odelusi 68), Andrew
Subs: (not used) Logan, Tanser, Thompson, Morley, Bunney

Sheffield: Long, Brayford, O’Connell, Wilson, Hussey, Duffy (Scougall 68), Basham, Fleck, Done (Chapman 59), Clarke, Sharp (c)
Subs: (not used) Ramsdale, McNulty, Wright, Coutts, Freeman

Referee: Mr K Johnson
Assistants: Mr A Hendley and Mr I Siddall
Fourth official: Mr P Gooch

Attendance: 19,395 (511 from Rochdale)