Football: Rochdale 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers

Rochdale were held to a draw as Doncaster scored a stoppage time equaliser to take a share of the spoils at a very wet and windy Crown Oil Arena.

Aaron Morley scored his first ever senior goal when his cross from the left evaded everybody to nestle in the bottom corner. His goal looked on course to earn the three points until Doncaster’s Kieron Sadlier rose unchallenged deep into stoppage time to head in the leveller.

Earlier Brian Barry-Murphy’s side struck the post and found visiting keeper Ian Lawlor in fine form to deny Callum Camps and Rekeil Pyke.

With Ollie Rathbone injured and new signing Jimmy Ryan suspended, the Dale boss gave 19-year-old Aaron Morley his first start of the season in the only change from the side that beat Tranmere in the season opener last weekend.

The first half didn’t really spring into life until ten minutes before half-time. A measured ball over the top from Morley was flicked on by Camps with Pyke doing well to control on his chest before turning and sending a first time volley towards goal but it crashed back off the post.

Moments later, Ian Lawlor in the Rovers goal had to be at his best to push away another Pyke effort that looked destined for the top corner after another precision pass from Morley.

The opening goal came on 66 minutes. A Rochdale corner was only partially cleared and when Morley picked up the ball wide on the left, he sent a teasing cross into the box. Pyke and Henderson both threw themselves at the ball which put the keeper off and the ball just bounced through and into the back of the net.

Rochdale continued to play attractive football but as the game wore on, Doncaster started to push forward. Alfie May’s cushioned volley narrowly missed the target whilst Sadlier beat the offside trap but couldn’t beat Sanchez who was quickly out to block the forward’s shot.

With the game into the third minute of added time, Doncaster levelled through Sadlier. A right-wing corner was perfect for the striker who rose to loop his header into the top corner giving Sanchez no chance.

It was a disappointing end to the game although the home fans inside the Crown Oil Arena will be buoyed by another terrific performance from their team.

 

Rochdale: Sanchez, Keohane, O’Connell, McNulty, Norrington-Davies, MJ Williams, Morley (Done 71), Camps, Dooley, Pyke (Andrew 79), Henderson ©
Subs: (not used) Wade, Delaney, Magloire, Tavares, Matheson

Doncaster: Lawlor, Halliday, Anderson, Baptiste (Blair 29), James, Whiteman ©, Sheaf, Coppinger (Ennis 70), Gomes (Taylor 78), May, Sadlier
Subs: (not used) Dieng, Crawford, Longbottom, Kiwomya

Referee: Mr T Kettle
Assistant referees: Mr P Gooch & Mr G Liddle
Fourth Official: Mr G Fyvie

Attendance: 3,587 (805 from Doncaster)