Hill happy as players show grit in Dale win
ROCHDALE ended their poor run of form after picking up a hardfought 1-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers.
Matt Done got the only goal of the game after seven minutes to earn his side all three points at the Crown Oil Arena.
It moves Dale up to 17th place in the League One table, and manager Keith Hill was delighted to get back to winning ways.
“We showed a bit of grit and determination. I’m happy with the result and certain parts of the performance,” he said.
“There was also a little bit of luck in the second half but we weathered the storm and it’s important that we got that victory from a confidence point of view, and it should settle everybody down.”
BURY remain in the relegation zone after they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Southend United at Roots Hall.
It looked like the match was heading for a goalless draw, but Southend got their winner in the 84th minute thanks to a late wonder strike from Ryan Leonard, condemning the Shakers to defeat.
It means that Bury are currently fourth from bottom in the table, three points from safety.
A sixth game unbeaten was little consolation to OLDHAM’S manager Richie Wellens, who admitted he was “gutted” after being pegged back to a draw at MK Dons.
Eoin Doyle scored twice and Craig Davies and Peter Clarke found the net, but leads of 3-1 and 4-2 evaporated in the second half at Stadium MK.
Wellens called for his side to be braver and more positive after a result that sees his men drop to 20th in League One – three points clear of tomorrow night’s home derby opponents Bury.
“We went 4-2 up and were in control. But we dropped too deep. It was a little sign of a team that panics – and I don’t want them to do that.
“I thought at 4-2, let’s go and win 5-2. But we dropped too deep and it’s a sickener when you conceded so late on.
“Score four goals away from home and you expect to win. I’m gutted, to be honest.”
WIGAN ATHLETIC stay in second place after an impressive 3-1 win against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
Kyle Vassell had opened the scoring for Blackpool, but two goals from Chey Dunkley and a strike from David Perkins meant Wigan came out on top.
In the Championship, BOLTON WANDERERS were held to a 1-1 draw at home to QPR.