Rochdale 2 - 1 Fleetwood Town

Rochdale v Fleetwood Town

Rochdale chalked up their first win of the season as an 86th minute winner from Steven Davies gave Dale victory over high-flying Fleetwood at the Crown Oil Arena.

Matty Lund headed Dale into a tenth minute lead, before Bobby Grant equalised from the penalty spot midway through a first half which Dale dominated.

The second half was evenly matched, but Dale found the winner with four minutes remaining, as Steven Davies nodded in Joe Bunney’s cross to seal all three points.

There were four changes to the side that lined-up against Bristol Rovers last week. Niall Canavan missed out through suspension, while Joe Rafferty, Scott Tanser and Jamie Allen also missed out. They were replaced by Jim McNulty, Keith Keane, Joe Thompson and Donal McDermott.

The game was played at a high tempo, making for an entertaining encounter and Rochdale took the lead early in the first half when Matty Lund met Donal McDermott's cross with a firm header into the roof of the net.

The goal had been coming and Dale continued to dominate until a needless foul by Harrison McGahey on Chris Long in the penalty box gifted Fleetwood the opportunity of an equaliser midway through the first half. Josh Lillis got a hand to former Dale player Bobby Grant's spot kick, but there was too much power behind the shot to keep it out.

Dale had two penalty appeals turned down, the first when Camps was brought down inside the box and the second when Lund was clearly shoved to ground at the back post as he attempted to attack a McDermott corner. The referee waved both claims away.

In the final five minutes of the first half, Long, who had been Fleetwood’s biggest threat during the first half, was kept out by Lillis, who got down well to his left.

Devante Cole looked almost certain to score for Fleetwood just before half time but Jim McNulty put in a timely challenge.

The second half wasn't short of entertainment but chances were few and far between and it looked like the game was destined for a draw until Davies' header minutes from time.

Fleetwood launched the ball forward from the kick off trying to grab an equaliser, but the Dale defence held firm to see out four minutes of added time and hold on for the first league win of the season.

Attendance: 2,499