Mcnulty proud of performance
ROCHDALE boss Jim Mcnulty said he could have no complaints after being pegged backed by Gateshead on Tuesday evening.
It probably came as a surprise to some see Dale leading 2-0 at the break against a much admired Gateshead team thanks to strikes from Jesurun Uchegbulam and Ian Henderson.
But the north east outfit stormed back in the second half with Edward Francis and Kenton Richardson finding the net to deny Dale.
But rather than being angry at seeing a two goal lead slip, Mcnulty (pictured) was pleased with his team’s performance whilst acknowledging the talented visitors.
He said: “On the balance of play I’m probably pleased with the result.
“I really like Gateshead, I think they’re a very good team.
“They’re the one I’ve had my eye on since the National League started.
“I’ve been doing my homework on all the teams and I think they’re the best team in the league.
“Regardless of where they finish I think a lot of teams have got an identity and know what they’re doing.
“They’re beyond two years into a project with the same manager.
“They’ve evolved the group so they know what they’re doing and I expected a really tough challenge tonight.
“I never felt fooled even at 2-0 up because they had their moments but there’s real important moments in games.
“I think if Hendo’s (Ian Henderson) header goes in it kills momentum and it kills their belief they can come back into the game.
“Their first goal was an unbelievable strike, it couldn’t be any more in the top corner.
“It’s a shame that we’ve conceded a goal like that with results and not having had a win recently.
“To concede a goal like that right in the top corner, it’s an unstoppable shot so to not go three up and with them having very good momentum at the moment, it was challenging”.
Despite conceding twice after the break, Mcnulty was hard pushed to find fault with his team.
He “Going to 2-2 and with momentum swinging in the game, I was still really pleased with our resilience and character.
“As we became fatigued and were looking for answers from the bench, the players dug really deep, we took a creditable 2-2.
“We played really well in the first half. The boys carried out the game plan.
“They were selfless and humble and with their work they helped each other.
“It’s a big out of possession shift against Gateshead. It’s not always the badge on the shirt that necessarily equates to what a good team is but I knew what a tough challenge it would be.
“Gateshead gave us a tough challenge so to impose ourselves and to go 2-0 up, we were outstanding but they did have their moments too.
“But we were calm about it at half time and knew the challenge was still to come.
“The game swings if we go 3-0 up and they don’t score an absolute worldie that changed the course of the game.
“Jez’s (Uchegbulam) goal was amazing and Cian’s (Hayes) a real live wire.
“His run in the first half when he took on I don’t know how many players then sat the keeper down, unfortunately he didn’t fine the corner like everyone thought he was going to.
“It would have been amazing for him to score that goal, both wingers would have each scored a brilliant goal.
““But they played amazing and gave everything.
“We have to do everything we can to make those two 90 minute players because right now they’re not 90 minutes players.
“That’s why we suffer with fatigue late in games but they give everything and put on really exciting performances for 60-70 minutes”.
Dale hit the road on Saturday when they travel to the Suit Direct Stadium for a mid-table clash against Hartlepool.
The Monkey Hangers sit one point and one place above Dale in the National League in 12 spot, having lost their last two league fixtures whilst Dale have drawn three and lost two of their last five.