Dale close in on
ROCHDALE edged tantalisingly close to the League One safety positions with a midweek defeat of arch rivals Bury at Gigg Lane.
Given the precarious position Dale have found themselves in this season, claiming bragging rights was hardly top priority on this occasion – banking a positive result in a bid to stave off relegation was the be all and end all for Keith Hill’s side.
But victory had the added bonus – for supporters at least – of sinking another nail into Bury’s coffin.
On paper, the Shakers have a squad of players fit to challenge in the upper echelons of the division.
However, a succession of managers have tried and failed to knit an undoubtedly talented group of individuals together – and all have failed miserably.
The latest, terrace hero Ryan Lowe, was heavily critical of the team’s performance and suggested after the game that heads would roll.
“If we’re going to go down, I want to go down fighting - not wimping out like that,” he said.
“If the players don’t fancy putting in the effort for the next four weeks, they should spend it at home.”
First-half strikes from Ryan Delaney and Ian Henderson sent the Shakers spiralling to a loss that leaves them 12 points adrift at the bottom.
Chairman Stewart Day’s reckless promise of Championship football by next season never looked more distant than in an subdued derby display.
By contrast Dale, now unbeaten in six against their neighbours, backed up a superb win over Shrewsbury with a result that leaves them a point from safety with at least one game in hand on some of the sides now within reach.
The visitors passed up a glaring early chance to open the scoring when chief marksman Henderson stabbed wide from point-blank range.
Both sides had joy down the left, Bradden Inman flashed an effort across the face of the goal and Danny Mayor soon replied for the Shakers with a shot on target.
Rochdale hit the front on the half-hour through Delaney, the defender unmarked from Inman’s dipping corner and free to nod home.
Lowe’s men have lost ten of their 12 home games after conceding the first goal, their best fist at a leveller Mayor’s curling effort fielded by Josh Lillis.
Henderson doubled the lead just before the break, pouncing on a Mayor backpass with a sublime finish on the half-volley into the bottom right.
Dale, kicking towards their vocal 1,540 visiting support, continued to dominate after the interval as Delaney saw two further headers sail narrowly over.
The hosts showed some improvement in the second half, striker James Hanson – on at the break for the ineffective George Miller – heading narrowly wide from a Mayor cross and then Joe Skarz’s inswinging centre.
Bury were presented with a glorious opportunity on the hour mark, a Zeli Ismail cutback striking
‘I thought the opposition were very lucky to be only 2-0 down at half-time’
Joe McNulty’s hand and a penalty awarded.
But it was squandered by Neil Danns, who dragged a poor spot-kick more than a yard wide of the left-hand post.
Dale had two late