Football: Northampton 0 - 1 Rochdale

Calvin Andrew scored the only goal of the game to give Rochdale a valuable three points

Calvin Andrew’s 53rd minute goal earned Rochdale a first league away win of the season at Northampton. The Dale striker slotted home a Matt Done cross early in the second half to earn a valuable three points.

In the first half, Northampton goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell saved well from Mark Kitching and scrambled an audacious Callum Camps effort from the half way line off the line.

Josh Lillis kept John-Joe O’Toole at bay with an instinctive save as Dale did not have it all their own way.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill made one enforced change from last Saturday’s FA Cup game at Millwall, deadline day signing Stephen Humphrys replacing Donervan Daniels at the heart of defence after the on loan defender was recalled from his loan spell.

Northampton goalkeeper O’Donnell gave Dale the first real chance of the game when his poor clearance fell to Camps in the centre circle. Camps sent a first time shot towards goal that had the keeper scrambling back to claw the ball off the line.

A dangerous Grimes corner was met by an unmarked O’Toole six yards out but Lillis pulled off a superb stop to keep the game scoreless.

Dale were seeing plenty of the ball as they pushed for an opening goal.

Mark Kitching was left frustrated when his half volley was tipped over the bar. From the corner, McNulty’s header took a double deflection and rolled just the wrong side of the post.

The only goal of the game came early in the second half when Kitching’s weighted ball set Done away down the left. Done picked out the run of Andrew who slotted in from close range.

Dale looked for a second but it just would not come.

Kitching went close before Henderson tested O’Donnell twice in quick succession.

Northampton threw on two of their new signings as they looked to equalise.

Gboly Ariyibi sent a dangerous ball into the area but Lillis pushed it away to safety with Long loitering.

Despite four minutes of added time, Rochdale held on for a win that will fill them with confidence heading into the FA Cup fourth round replay against Millwall on Tuesday evening.

Northampton: O’Donnell, Facey (Poole 36), Taylor (c), Turnbull, Bunney, Foley, O’Toole (Ariyibi 72), Crooks, Pereria (Van Veen 57), Poole, Grimes.
Subs: (not used) cornell, Buchanan, Hoskins, McWilliams.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Wiseman, McNulty, Delaney, Done, Camps (Humphrys 86), Cannon, Kitching, Henderson (c) Andrew.
Subs: (Not used) Moore, Rathbone, Knott, Hart, Dobre.

Referee: Mr J Busby
Assistants: Mr G Read and Mr D Cook
Fourth Official: Mr A Aylott

Attendance: 5,475 (214 from Rochdale)