Rochdale 1 - 1 AFC Wimbledon

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Jamie Allen scored direct from a corner

Jamie Allen scored direct from a corner deep into stoppage time to rescue a point Rochdale despite being down to 10 men. Allen’s corner evaded everybody and nestled in the back of the net five minutes into added time to earn a share of the spoils.

Andy Barcham had given the Wimbledon a 12th minute lead when he headed home a Chris Whelpdale cross.

Substitute Callum was sent off for two bookings within 60 seconds of each other leaving Rochdale left to play eight minutes with just 10 men.

Dale started very brightly and took the game to Wimbledon but a swift breakaway on 12 minutes gave Wimbledon the early lead. Chris Whelpdale’s pace down the right gave him space to cross for Barcham to head home from close range.

Neither of the goalkeepers were tested after the goal with the Dale strikers off target with any half chances that came their way.

A quick ball out by Logan early in the second half created a chance when Henderson rounded Ryan Clarke in the Wimbledon goal, his centre landing on the roof of the net rather than anywhere near the on rushing Davies.

Dale started to get a foothold in the game as the second half wore on - Matt Lund heading wide an Allen corner whilst Henderson warmed the hands of Clarke with a low shot. Jamie Allen came close to a leveller with a powerful drive that clipped the crossbar with Clarke beaten.

The turning point for Dale came inside the last 10 minutes. Callum Camps’ remonstrations with the referee over a penalty appeal that had been turned down led to the midfielder earning a yellow card and then, just seconds late, Camps’ rash challenge on Barry Fuller brought about a second yellow card.

The 10 men of Dale rallied and piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

A Calvin Andrew looping header went agonisingly close.

With six minutes stoppage time shown on the fourth official’s board, the Dale faithful raised the noise levels and Rochdale got a deserved equaliser - Jamie Allen’s corner going straight in after Clarke had flapped at it.

Rochdale: Logan, Cannon, McGahey, Canavan, McNulty, Allen, Lund (Odelusi 67), Henderson (c), McDermott (Camps46), Davies (Andrew 55), Mendez-Laing .
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Rafferty, Tanser, Thompson.

AFC Wimbledon: Clarke, Fuller (c), Charles, Robinson, Meades, Whelpdale (Parrett 63), Reeves, Bulman, Barcham, Elliott (Barnett 63), Taylor (Francomb 72).
Subs: (not used) Shea, Nightingale, Poleon, Kelly.

Referee: Mr C Sarginson
Assistants: Mr G Hart and Mr A Moore
Fourth Official: Mr B Cropp

Attendance: 2,274