Rovers are denied by Rathbone screamer

ROCHDALE boss Brian Barry-Murphy felt his side got what they deserved after rescuing a point on the road at Doncaster.

Jon Taylor gave the hosts the lead inside the first minute only for Rochdale to go on to have the better of the play.

They finally grabbed an equaliser nine minutes from time through Oliver Rathbone, and BarryMurphy felt they received their just deserts.

“How early the goal went in came as a slight surprise, but we were in control for long periods of the game against an outstanding opponent,” he said.

“It took all of our skills to get back in the game and our lads responded in the best way possible.

“They put loads into the game in terms of enthusiasm and effort and we got what we deserved. We were on the front foot for most of the game and I don’t want to take that ambition out of the team.

“We haven’t had many draws this season and I don’t think that’s a bad thing because I want us to be positive.”

Barry-Murphy praised goalscorer Rathbone, who capped a strong performance by grabbing the equaliser with a smart run and finish from 25 yards.

“He’s someone who will score lots of goals in his career,” Barry-Murphy said.

“He has had lots of chances this season and he gets in those areas of the pitch where he’s at his most dangerous and we know he’s capable of scoring from.”

Doncaster took the lead after 46 seconds.

Kieran Sadlier cut inside and clipped a cross to the back post, where Taylor brushed it home with his shoulder.

At the other end Paul McShane looped a header onto the bar after Doncaster keeper Seny Dieng failed to claim a cross.

In the second half, Sadlier stabbed the ball on target after a goalmouth scramble only for Eoghan O’Connell to clear off the line. Rochdale did find the leveller after 81 minutes.

Rathbone was given far too much time and space to charge from half way and lash in a low shot from 25 yards.

Doncaster boss Darren Moore labelled it two points dropped.

He said: “We started the game very well, went a goal up really early and the game just seemed to peter out from there.

“Being the home team, we didn’t go on and capitalise.”