Henderson strikes keep Rochdale’s play-off bid alive
ROCHDALE’S hopes of finishing in the League One play-offs are still alive after a 2-0 victory over Coventry at the Crown Oil Arena.
Two goals from Ian Henderson either side of half-time were enough to earn the hosts all three points against already-relegated Coventry.
Keith Hill’s men started the match well and it didn’t take them long to make the breakthrough as Henderson netted on 18 minutes.
Good work from Jamie Allen and Joe Rafferty allowed Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to race through on the right, before he then crossed for Henderson to head past goalkeeper Lee Burge and make it 1-0.
Henderson almost turned provider moments later when he tried to return the favour to MendezLaing, but he couldn’t finish and the chance went begging.
Dale doubled their lead on 52 minutes. Mendez-Laing and Henderson combined again, with Henderson slotting the ball past Burge.
It had been a frustrating afternoon for Coventry, and things were made worse when Ben Stevenson was stretchered off late on wearing a neck brace.
The win leaves Rochdale three points outside the play-off places with just two games remaining.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC were denied the chance to officially secure their League One safety after they were beaten 1-0 at Bristol Rovers.
Ellis Harrison scored the winner after 75 minutes to condemn Latics to defeat at the Memorial Stadium.
It was a quiet first half, with both sides struggling to create any chances throughout the opening 45 minutes.
The two goalkeepers were called into action shortly after the break though, with Oldham’s Connor Ripley denying Stuart Sinclair before Rovers stopper Joe Lumley kept out Lee Erwin.
The winning goal came with 15 minutes remaining when Harrison smashed a shot home from 15 yards, with that proving to be the difference between the two teams.
Oldham are now six points clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining, though Port Vale and BURY each have a game in hand on Latics, with Bury’s coming tonight against BOLTON WANDERERS.
In the Championship, WIGAN ATHLETIC’s hopes of avoiding relegation were given a major blow after they lost 2-1 at newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion.
Two goals from Glenn Murray and Solly March were enough to earn Brighton the win and ensure they’ll be in the Premier League next season, despite a late strike from Nick Powell.
DLFA