MK Dons 2 - 2 Rochdale

Photo: Brad Journeaux

MK Dons v Rochdale

Rochdale were left frustrated as they were held to a draw away at MK Dons despite leading twice - a stoppage time goal denying them a first win since January. Ben Reeves’ deflected shot stopped a maximum points haul for Rochdale after Steven Davies and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing had twice put Dale in front.

With injuries and suspension still causing problems for the Rochdale manager, Keith Hill was forced into two changes from the side that drew with Sheffield United last weekend. Jow Rafferty returned from suspension whilst Calvin Andrew recovered from tonsillitis enough to start.

Dale took an early lead thanks to leading scorer Davies who headed home at the second attempt. Andrew's centre was headed against the post by Davies who was quickest to react and nodded in from close range.

Rochdale could have stretched their lead when Davies headed wide from six yards out.

Joe Thompson somehow put over the bar from three yards out after great work from Harrison McGahey.

Mendez-Laing brought about a good save from Martin in the Dons goal when his trickery gave him space to shoot.

Dale continued to cause problems in the second half; Calvin Andrew firing a freekick just over the closest they came in the opening stages.

Those missed opportunities would prove costly for Dale as Dons equalised when Tilney’s cross was clawed away by Wilson only for the ball to hit substitute Kieran Agard and ricochet into the net.

Dale re-took the lead with six minutes to go when Callum Camps’ decisive pass found Mendez-Laing who, still with a lot to do, finished well beyond Martin.

However, there was still to be another twist; as with last week when Mendez-Laing scored, it wouldn’t prove to be the winner.

Ben Reeves’ trickery saw him get within sight of Wilson’s goal and despite his shot seemingly going wide, a wicked deflection off Jamie Allen sent the ball in off the far post.

Dale’s winless run has stretched to 10 games.

MK Dons: Martin, Williams (c), Walsh, Downing (Potter 72), Tilney, Barnes, O’Keefe, Upson, Reeves, Muirhead (Agard 60), Maynard (Ngombo 60).
Subs: (not used) Nicholls, Bowditch, Powell, Brittain.

Rochdale: Wilson, Rafferty, McGahey, McNulty, Andrew, Cannon (Camps 65), Allen, Rathbone (Canavan 76), Henderson (c), Mendez-Laing, Davies (Thompson 25).
Subs: (not used) Logan, Vincenti, Morley, Kitching.

Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Assistants: Mr A Hendley and Mr K Howick
Fourth Official: Mr D Robathan