Bentley pleased to take ‘tough point’
ROCHDALE boss Jim Bentley was happy to come away with a point against in-form Tranmere on Tuesday night.
Dale were keen to make amends for Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Wimbledon.
And for a brief spell they led at Prenton Park after Ian Henderson’s 35th minute opener.
Despite Kane Hemmings hitting back for the hosts four minutes later, Dale frustrated Micky Mellon’s men to head home with a deserved share of the spoils.
Bentley said: “I’ve got to be pleased. It’s a hard earned point.
“You have to scrap and battle for every point in this division, I know how difficult it is when you come to one of the best sides in the league.
“I think the position they’re in at the minute which isn’t really reflected by a difficult start, they’ve changed their formation, they’ve got athleticism.
“They’re one of the best if not the best at home. I came to watch them recently against Crewe and I thought they were fantastic.
“It’s a really tough place to come, the crowd get up and all over you, once that home end is up and at it they drive the players on.
“We had to dig in there and find a way, we are scrapping for points.
“When you come away like we have done recently, all hands to the pump at Newport and won 1-0, Colchester the same where we won 1-0 and then to come here and take the lead, they asked questions of us but I’m pleased with the desire and determination.
“I said to them the fans want a team they can be proud of.
“And I think they’ll be proud of their efforts tonight because this is a really hard team to play against, a side that’s really in form and they don’t give many goals away.
“So for us to get our noses in front I was thinking ‘go on, go and get another one’ but it wasn’t to be.
“Second half it was all them but we stuck in there to come away with a hard earned point so you’ve got to be happy.
“The players emptied the tank and put a right shift in for us”.
Bentley has been particularly pleased with the attitude of the players since taking over as manager from Robbie Stockdale earlier in the season.
He added: “It’s been difficult with the games coming thick and fast.
“There was last Tuesday and then we had a dissapointing one on Saturday but they’ve come here today and responded in the right way. “When the ball was put in the box we were getting bodies in the way and finding a way of keeping them out. “We rode our luck a little bit when Turnbull headed against the bar, they might have had one of two others but it’s as you are when you go away from home. “Certain teams like this are going to ask questions of you. “From minute one they got all over us, we had little spells. “The one thing I’m a little disappointed in is our ball retention in the opposition half.
“I think we can get a bit of a breather by looking after the ball better.
“Counter attacking we know we’re a decent side but to come here and get a point, that’s the most important thing.
“You always want three but we’ll take the one and move on”.
Bentley was keen to lavish praise on goalscorer Ian Henderson.
The 37-year-old striker is closing in on being Dale’s all time scorer, and Bentley is delighted to have him on board.
He continued: “Hendo’s a good player and he’s a proven scorer at this level but it wasn’t just about his goal.
“He was unlucky with the one just before, it looked onside so we’ll have a look back on that.
“It’s just know-how, timing the runs to get into those positions.
“And with Bally’s forward run, if you’re not willing to run you’re not going to get the opportunities.
“Bally’s made that run down the channel which has affected Turnbull slightly out of his slot and Hendo’s got behind the young loanee from Southampton.
“But that’s his bread and butter so I’m really pleased for him.
“Really pleased with his all round performance, he just needs one more to become the record scorer for the club”.