Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Rochdale

Photo: Brad Journeaux

Plymouth Argyle v Rochdale

Rochdale bounced back from an early set back to earn a point at bottom club Plymouth Argyle.

A misplaced pass from Harrison McGahey in the opening minute gifted possession with Joel Grant punishing Dale when he headed home Graham Carey’s cross.

Rochdale drew level through Matt Done’s turn and shot eleven minutes before the interval.

Both sides had chances to go on and win the game but the defences stood firm.

Being a former Plymouth player, Keith Hill will have known the importance of trying to keep the Home Park faithful quiet so will have been frustrated at the ease in which Plymouth scored after just 42 seconds. What seemed a simple pass out of defence by McGahey was completely misplaced as he gave the ball to Toumani Diagouraga. The Frenchman picked out Carey on the right flank and when the winger beat Joe Bunney, he sent in a dangerous cross which Grant powered past Lillis to open the scoring and give the home fans something to shout about.

For a while after the goal, Dale seemed rocked, with Plymouth pushing for a second.

Carey warmed the hands of Lillis with a 35 yard free-kick.

Last gasp defending from McNulty and McGahey kept the scoreline at 1-0.

Bradden Inman did have the ball in the net on the half hour mark, but an assistant's flag cut short the celebrations.

Soon after Dale did draw level. MJ Williams got sight of goal from 25 yards; his scuffed shot found the unmarked Done who quickly turned and fired a low shot into the left hand corner for his second goal in two games.

Josh Lillis had to be alert in the latter stages of the first half when Grant beat the offside, out quickly to block.

Dale tried to hit Plymouth with a quick-fire break at the start of the second half - Done being denied by a smart save from Matthews.

Rochdale created the better chances in the second half.

Done was again denied by Matthews.

Ian Henderson, who was playing in his 500th career game, saw his close range shot blocked on the line by Sonny Bradley.

The game ended with both sides pressing for a winner but a draw was probably just about a fair result.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McGahey, McNulty, Bunney (Ntlhe 58), Camps, MJ Williams, Henderson (c), Inman, Andrew, Done (Davies 84)
Subs: (not used) Moore, Daniels, Kitching, Slew, Rathbone.

Plymouth: Matthews, Sawyer (c), Edwards, Bradley, Taylor-Sinclair, Songo’o, Carey, Diagouraga, Fox (Sarvevic 76), Grant (Blissett 69), Jervis (Wylde 86)
Subs: (not used) Cooper, Miller, Ainsworth, Fletcher.

Referee: Mr G Ward
Assistants: Mr S Knapp and Mr M Eva
Fourth Official: Mr B Cobb

Attendance: 8,805 (163 from Rochdale)