Dale stars toast
TEN-MAN Rochdale climbed to the lofty heights of League One’s play-off places following a valiant comeback against Leyton Orient.
Dale, trailing 2-1 at half-time, faced a colossal task to salvage a result following Ashley Eastham’s dismissal on the half-hour mark.
But Peter Vincenti equalised three minutes after the break, before Matt Done’s second on 66 minutes ensured victory for Dale.
Assistant manager Chris Beech hailed the fightback and revealed the dressing room was in unison – it was the greatest three points that they have picked up in their careers to date.
“There was an atmosphere in the changing rooms after the game that the players have never experienced,” he said.
“Wherever they’ve been in their careers, they’ve talked about it being probably the best experience and three points they’ve ever earned.
“The manager had a plan that he put into practice at half-time which was fully supported by our players and it worked.”
Hill’s men took an early lead in an action-packed first half when Done’s thundering strike from outside the area found the bottom corner on four minutes.
They came close to doubling their tally shortly after as Vincenti’s pinpoint delivery allowed Ian Henderson to bare down on goal, but the striker’s effort went narrowly wide of the mark.
Orient grabbed an equaliser on 13 minutes through Jobi McAnuff, whose powerful shot from outside the area found Conrad Logan’s goal.
Shortly before the halfhour mark, Dale were reduced to 10 men in dubious fashion when Eastham was adjudged to have fouled Darius Henderson inside the area.
Former Dale striker Chris Dagnall stepped up to take the spot-kick but was denied by Logan, while Henderson skewed wide his effort on the rebound.
Hill was forced to adopt a more defensive approach, which saw in-form midfielder Jamie Allen make way for usual skipper Olly Lancashire, who made his return to
‘They’ve talked about it being the best experience and three points they’ve ever earned’
the side following an early-season groin injury.
Reduced to 10 men, Dale were forced on the back foot for the remainder of the first half and endured several waves of attacks from the hosts; looking to capitalise on their one man advantage.
They eventually took the lead on 42 minutes when Romain Vincelot headed home Henderson’s delivery.
After an action-packed first half, the drama continued after the break as Hill’s men fought bravely to stage a comeback, equalising three minutes from the restart.
Jack O’Connell’s vicious strike from distance could only be parried away by Gary Woods, allowing Vincenti to pounce on the rebound inside the six-yard area and net the leveller.
Brimming with confidence and without an ounce of fear, Dale pulled off the unthinkable against the odds and fired themselves back into the lead.
After quickly clearing a corner from the hosts, Dale hit back immediately on 66 minutes as Stephen