Rochdale 2 - 2 Swindon Town

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Matt Lund scored Rochdale's equaliser

Rochdale came from two goals down to earn a point in a thoroughly entertaining game that saw Swindon reduced to nine men.

Swindon took the lead inside the first two minutes with a well worked goal and doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time.

Jamie Allen reduced the arrears before the half time whistle with Swindon's Louis Thompson being shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.

Matt Lund scored Rochdale's equaliser before Brandon Ottewill saw straight red card for a swing at Grant Holt.

Dale piled on the pressure but couldn’t get a winner which ended their slim hopes for a play-off spot.

With Rochdale needing a win and for other results to go their way, there was a relaxed atmosphere around Spotland in the build up to kick off.

Swindon had secured their League One status after victory last week and gave a debut to 17-year-old goalkeeper Will Henry and what a debut he would go on to have.

Swindon opened the scoring inside 90 seconds when Ottewill breezed through from midfield before picking out Jon Obika with the big striker slotting past Lillis with ease.

In an end to end game, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing rounded Henry but couldn’t provide the finishing touch whilst at the other end Obika fired horribly over when well picked out by full back James Brophy.

Dale had a glorious opportunity to level when Henderson was tripped inside the area but was foiled by Henry from the spot.

Henderson had another chance but headed wide whilst Henry somehow kept out Bunney’s chance when the young striker was played in perfectly by Mendez-Laing.

Lillis had to be at his best to push away Anton Rodgers 25 yard free-kick and minutes later Henry pulled off another wonder save to deny Ashley Eastham when the defender glanced a McDermott free-kick at goal.

With three minutes added time shown by the 4th official, Swindon doubled their lead. A soft free-kick on the left was fired into the area with skipper Nathan Thompson on hand to head into the top corner.

With half time fast approaching, Dale Captain Jamie Allen got his side back into the game with a stunning 25 yard shot that gave Henry no chance.

Louis Thompson was shown a second yellow card just shy of the hour mark for dissent which swung the game in Dale’s favour.

Rose saw his free-kick from the edge of the area deflect narrowly wide whilst McDermott saw his shot headed clear by Nathan Thompson with Henry looking unlikely to reach.

The leveller came after incessant Dale pressure. Allen’s deep cross picked out substitute Matt Lund who headed his first of the season.

The 10 men of Swindon rallied and went close on a couple of occasions - Rodgers’ free-kick grazed the outside of the post and Ajose flashed a shot across goal.

The remainder of the game was played out with Dale pressing for a winner but they couldn’t beat the inspired Henry.

McDermott warmed the fingertips of the keeper after a jinking run into the box with Lund denied a second with a full stretch save.

Eastham and Henderson both flashed a free headers wide before Swindon were reduced to nine men.

A foul on Brandon Ottewill saw the defender stay down as the clock ticked by. Grant Holt took exception and tried helping him to his feet with the fullback swinging a hand at Holt's face - referee Mr Duncan having no option but to show a straight red card.

Despite the numerical advantage and the six minutes of time added on by the officials, Dale couldn’t snatch a winner.

In the end it wouldn’t have mattered as Barnsley won their game against Colchester meaning Rochdale wouldn’t be able to catch the South Yorkshire side.

Attendance: 2,806

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon, Eastham, Canavan (Rose 46), McNulty, Allen (c), Camps (Lund 52), McDermott, Henderson, Mendez-Laing, Bunney (Holt 73)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Bennett, Vincenti, Syers

Swindon: Henry, Ottewill, Turnbull, N Thompson, Rossi-Branco, Brophy, Rodgers (Sendles-White 83), L Thompson, Doughty, Ajose, Obika
Subs: (not used) Landolo, Cooke, Evans, Young, Balmey, Twine

Referee: Mr S Duncan
Assistants: Mr K Haycock and Mr B Gordon
Fourth Official: Mr M Donohue