Rochdale 2 - 2 Doncaster Rovers

Callum Camps gave Rochdale the lead

Niall Canavan scored a late equaliser deep into stoppage time to earn Rochdale a point against relegation threatened Doncaster Rovers. The on loan defender fired in from close range six minutes into added time to deny the visitors a first win in 16 games.

Callum Camps had given Rochdale the lead on the stroke of half-time with a sublime piece of skill before Mitchell Lund and Andy Butler edged Rovers into the lead.

Doncaster were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute after Craig Alcock was shown a second yellow card after a trip on Vincenti.

With Ian Henderson suspended, Grant Holt was given a start as Rochdale welcomed struggling Doncaster Rovers to Spotland. Doncaster, managed by Darren Ferguson, son of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex, were on the back of a win-less run that stretches back to 2 January. That run has seen the South Yorkshire side slip deep into the relegation scrap as they started the day four points adrift of safety.

It was a thrilling game which either side could have won with Rochdale having numerous chances early on.

Donal McDermott had a shot bravely blocked before his follow up deflected narrowly wide and from the resultant corner, Dale had a triple chance.

Holt saw his close range shot blocked before Mendez-Laing struck the post. The loose ball fell to Holt but his effort deflected out for another corner.

At the other end, Josh Lillis had to be at his very best to deny Andy Williams when through on goal.

Dale took the lead just before the interval with as good a finish as you will ever see. A free-kick from Ashley Eastham was delivered deep into the area and with Doncaster keeper Remi Matthews moving to the left of his goal to gather the long ball, Camps somehow managed to control the ball as it dropped over his shoulder before tapping into the unguarded net.

Doncaster's response was almost instant as they raced towards goal from the re-start - again Williams denied by Lillis who was quickly out to narrow the angle.

Ferguson senior was renowned for his half time team talks and in particular the infamous ‘hair dryer’ treatment and whatever Ferguson junior said at the interval certainly worked as his side came out looking the far hungrier of the two sides.

The equalising goal came just short of the hour mark after the Dale defence only partially cleared a Doncaster corner. A right wing cross was turned towards goal with Lillis brilliantly saving the initial shot but he couldn’t do anything to stop Mitchell Lund who poked home from close range.

The game was soon turned on its head when the Dale defence again failed to deal with a set piece. A free-kick on the half way line evaded everybody with Andy Butler stealing in to knock the ball over Lillis to give Doncaster the lead.

Fighting for their League One lives, Doncaster were frustrating the Dale with their time wasting tactics.

A bizarre moment eight minutes from time would go on to have a large bearing of the outcome of this game. A full blooded tackle by both Craig Alcock and Dale substitute Peter Vincenti saw referee Darren Bond stop the game to speak with both players. After lengthy discussions, the official showed a yellow card to each and resumed the game with a contested drop ball, much to the bemusement of both benches who each thought their player was fouled.

That caution for Alcock would cost his side dear as in the first minute of added time, the full back tripped Vincenti as he broke away earning a second yellow card and his marching orders.

Dale piled on the pressure and were rewarded with an equaliser in the sixth minute of added time. McDermott did well to get the ball into the danger area and when an initial shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar, Canavan was on hand to smash in his first goal since joining the club.

A point isn’t really what either side would have wanted as results elsewhere leave Rochdale eight points adrift of the play-off places with six games remaining whilst Doncaster are still four points adrift of safety.

Attendance: 2,727

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (Lund 84), Eastham, Canavan, McNulty, Rose (Bunney 71), Allen (c), Camps, Mendez-Laing (Vincenti 70), McDermott, Holt.
Subs: (not used) Collis, Lancashire, Cannon, Syers.

Doncaster: Matthews, Lund (Middleton 75), Alcock, Butler, Taylor-Sinclair, Calder (Chaplow 74), Coppinger (c), McCullough, Rowe, Williams, McSheffrey (Tyson 78).
Subs: (not used) Stuckmann, Evina, Mandeville, Stewart.

Referee: Mr D Bond
Assistants: Mr O Yates and Mr J Johnson
Fourth Official: Mr M Jones