Dale close in on
ROCHDALE were held to a 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon on another day of frustration at Spotland.
Dale edged closer to League One safety, cutting the gap to five points with three games in hand thanks to an unbeaten run of four games.
But they would reflect on two points dropped having created at a catalogue of clear-cut chances, failing to avoid a second successive stalemate at the Crown Oil Arena.
Keith Hill’s side somehow failed to establish a half-time lead, having three chances hacked off the line, before Stephen Humphrys hit the woodwork in the second-half.
The home side made a slow start to the game and went behind on seven minutes, although bad luck played a significant part in the concession.
Lyle Taylor’s free-kick from a central position ricocheted off the bottom of the wall and fell perfectly for Deji Oshilaja, who poked past Josh Lillis from close-range.
Taylor drifted into the wide areas to create a good chance for a second, his cross narrowly evading the outstretched boot of strike partner Joe Pigott in the box.
In response, Scott Wiseman - still standing in for the ill Joe Rafferty clipped a ball to the back post where Stephen Humphrys rocked back to head over.
A string of chances then came in the 12th minute; Matt Done seeing a shot saved by George Long rushing back into net and Ian Henderson’s shot improbably scrambled off the line by Deji Oshilaja.
Done stood a ball up to the back post, defender Ryan Delaney popping up to thump an effort on goal that Long flew low to deny.
It was a relief that the Dons were breached on 27 minutes, Humphrys holding the ball up for Cannon whose low shot caught the foot of Barry Fuller and looped into the top right.
Further chances flowed before the interval, as the visitors were unable to clear and Henderson’s volley destined for the back of the net was wellblocked by Tom Soares.
Humphrys, an increasing influence with every game, dived to direct a Bradden Inman cross over the bar with his head in the final opening of the half.
There was also a big shout for a penalty for a barge on Henderson, brought down under a high cross from Cannon, but the referee waved it away.
It was a perplexing performance from the officials at times, adding three minutes to the firsthalf and only two to the second despite a lengthy stoppage for injury to Jim McNulty.
After the break, the balance of the game remained in Dale’s favour but chances were harder to come by.
Bradden Inman had a shot held from just inside the area and Humphrys again jinked inside to force a parry from Long.
A Wiseman corner flew all the way to the far post, where Done tried to adjust but his effort cannoned just wide of the left-hand upright.
The wing-back had another say in the box as blizzard conditions descended, nicking in ahead of Long but Oshilaja was able to ease substitute Steve Davies away from the ball.
The crucial chance fell to Humphrys, who struck his 20-yard free-kick perfectly only to watch it strike the post and fly to safety.
Lillis, McNulty, McGahey,
Long, Fuller, Oshilaja, Nightingale, Meades, Francomb, Trotter, Soares, Abdou (Forrester, 63), Taylor, Pigott (Barcham, 63). Subs not used: Robinson, Parrett, Sibbick, Kaja, McDonnell Scott Oldham 2,667