Rochdale 0 - 1 Rotherham United

Rochdale v Rotherham United

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Richard Wood’s 57th minute header was enough to condemn Rochdale to defeat to end their five game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Josh Lillis’ mistake led to the corner from which Wood powered home his header to score the only goal of a tight game.

Steven Davies went close for Rochdale either side of half-time, his first effort flashed narrowly over from distance whilst in the second half his header crashed off the crossbar.

Having gone five games without conceding, Rochdale came into the game in confident mood against a Rotherham side relegated from the Championship last season. Steven Davies and Matty Done were preferred up front to try and alter fortunes in front of goal.

Dale certainly started the game the better with a couple of half chances in the early stages.

Donervon Daniels’ cross was met by Davies, although the strikers header lacked power.

Davies went close moments later with an audacious effort from distance. A quickly taken Daniels throw to Davies saw him with his back to goal 30 yards out, but in a flash he turned his marker and shot narrowly over with the goalkeeper beaten.

That sparked Rotherham into life and they started to press Dale.

Will Vaulks, an early change for the injured Lee Frecklington, forced a smart save from Lillis after the midfielder met a deep Rotherham free kick.

The Dale keeper had to be alert soon afterwards when a long punt up field was seized upon by Richie Towell - Lillis had read the danger and was quickly out to block.

The second half continued in the same vein as the latter stages of the first with Rotherham on top.

Rotherham scored the winner just short of the hour mark. A dubious free-kick, awarded after intervention from the fourth official, was sent high into the Dale area; Lillis came out to gather but he spilled the ball behind for a corner. From the set play, Forde’s delivery was met by Wood who headed past Lillis.

Dale rallied and had a couple of half chances through corners. Bunney sent in two good balls; the first saw Davies head against the woodwork whilst the second, minutes later, was met by Henderson, but his header was cleared off the line by the Rotherham defence.

Rotherham were very good at killing the game with their goal advantage, although in stoppage time substitute Bradden Inman had a glorious opportunity to level but he fired high over the bar from six yards out after a good knock down by Davies.

Defeat sees Dale drop one place to 18th in League One and with a visit to high flying Fleetwood up next, it could be a tough month.

Rochdale: Lillis, Daniels, McGahey, McNulty, Bunney, Camps (Inman 71), MJ Williams, Rathbone (Andrew 61), Done (Slew 81), Davies, Henderson.
Subs: (not used) Moore, Rafferty, Ntlhe, Williams.

Rotherham: O’Donnell, Mattock, Wood, Ihiekwe, Cummings, Forde (Ajayi 88), Potter, Frecklington (c) (Vaulks 4), Towell, Williams, Moore. (Clarke-Harris 90)
Subs: (not used) Price, Emmanuel, Ball, Yates.

Referee: Mr D Coote
Assistants: Mr S Hudson and Mr T Peart
Fourth Official: Mr A J Madley

Attendance: 4,113