Coleman’s birthday ruined by Henderson

ACCRINGTON boss John Coleman admitted he is sick of the sight of Rochdale, and Ian Henderson in particular, after suffering defeat at the Crown Oil Arena.

The visitors dominated long periods of the game, but succumbed to Henderson strikes either side of the break.

Joe Pritchard’s stunning strike gave them a foothold but, despite mounting a late barrage on the Dale goal, Stanley left empty-handed.

The day marked Coleman’s 57th birthday, but he said: “To say it was a massively frustrating birthday would be an understatement, but we gave it a good go and we’ve been undone by a better finisher.

“That’s the harsh reality, Ian Henderson is a very good finisher at this level and he’s punished us.

“Rochdale are becoming a bit of a bogey side for us. That’s the third time we have played them in League One and we’ve been the better side, but have lost by the odd goal every time. Ian Henderson has scored three of the four goals we’ve conceded in those games, too.”

The visitors dominated for long stretches of the first half, with Dale goalkeeper Robert Sanchez keeping out Jordan Clark’s half volley, while Offrande Zanzala was twice denied by blocks.

However, the home side were ahead in the 40th minute.

Stanley stopper Dimitar Evtimov could only parry Ollie Rathbone’s shot and Henderson rifled the loose ball into the roof of the net from six yards.

And Henderson made it two after 49 minutes, lifting the ball over Evtimov after seizing on an error in the Stanley backline.

The visitors were back in it after 54 minutes when Pritchard sent a swerving 30-yard drive into the top corner of the net.

It took fine saves from Sanchez to keep out Clark from distance and a late Colby Bishop header. Dale boss Brian Barry-Murphy said: “It was a great result for us, the players have put in another week of hard work, which resulted in a good performance, a very tough and a very different type of performance, but I am so proud of the players.

“Accrington fought right to the death and it was a great derby.

“John Coleman’s side are very good teams, very skilled teams and they carried on going to the very last whistle.”