Rochdale 2 - 1 Morecambe

Photo: Alpha Photography

Lund celebrates Hogan's equaliser

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Rochdale kept pace with the teams above after coming from behind to beat Morecambe. Jack Redshaw gave the visitors the lead on 33 minutes when he poked home an Andy Wright centre but the lead lasted just two minutes. Scott Hogan netted his 16th goal of the season when he fired clinically into the roof of Barry Roche’s net. Ian Henderson earned the points for Dale with his ninth of the campaign after a neat one-two with Matt Done.

There was a huge doubt over the game after heavy rain gave cause for concern but after three pitch inspections throughout the course of the morning, and some sterling work from the Spotland ground staff, referee Geoff Eltringham gave the thumbs up.

Keith Hill named an unchanged side from that which beat Wimbledon last time out but did have club captain and vice captain Peter Cavanagh and Olly Lancashire on the bench after injuries. Reece Gray was also named as a substitute after his loan spell at Halifax ended.

The opening exchanges were very cagey as both side got to grips with the tricky conditions.

With a strong wind behind them, it was Dale that had the better of the chances in the opening thirty minutes.

Hogan fired a shot over after great work by Jamie Allen.

Dale had an appeal for a penalty waved away by the referee when Henderson appeared to get caught.

The opening goal came against the run of play and it was former Dale striker Jack Redshaw who applied the finishing touch; although he almost fluffed his lines at the vital moment. A long ball down the left held up in the wind which allowed Wright the chance to cross to Redshaw. The former Manchester City trainee just about got enough on the ball to turn it over the line.

The lead lasted just two minutes and it was man of the moment Hogan who deservedly levelled the game. O’Connell’s long ball out of defence allowed the pacey striker to race ahead of Parrish before dropping his shoulder and fire into the top corner.

The second half was a good end-to-end game of football with both sides having chances to score.

Lund saw a low drive go just wide after Henderson’s quickly taken free-kick whilst Devitt’s dangerous cross for Morecambe wasn’t anticipated by the visitor’s front line.

Morecambe came within a whisker of edging in front when Devitt’s free kick from a very acute angle was cleared off the line by Done.

Seconds later Hogan should have done better after Henderson’s quick breakway but the leading marksman’s first time shot was wayward.

With 17 minutes left, Dale sealed the win. Henderson’s drive had Morecambe on the back foot and when he and Done linked up, the ball fell back to Henderson who fired home from 18 yards.

Assistant manager Chris Beech said: “The players had that gritty side to their game to grind out the win. They [Morecambe] probably scored against the run of play but when you have a player of Scott Hogan’s capabilities there is nobody better than him once he has cut back inside to finish off into the top corner.

"By being positive Ian (Henderson) has got a bit of luck, I think the defender has put it onto his foot and its gone in but we will take that.”

Attendance: 2,344

Rochdale: Lillis, Done, O’Connell (c), Eastham, Rafferty, Henderson, Allen (Gray 85), Lund, Kennedy (Vincenti 66), Rose, Hogan
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Cavanagh, Lancashire, Donnelly, Porter

Morecambe: Roche, Threlfall, Hughes (c), Parrish, Beeley, Wright (Sampson 83), Ellison (Amond 78), Devitt, Drummond (Williams 89), Fleming, Redshaw
Subs: (not used) Arestidou, Diagne, McCready, McGee

Referee: Mr G Eltringham
Assistant Referees: Mr W Grunill & Mr M Parry
Fourth Official: Mr M Astley