Last-gasp winner a bitter blow - Jim
ROCHDALE head coach Jimmy Mcnulty was left disappointed with the timing and nature of Wealdstone’s winning goal as his side fell to an agonising late defeat on Saturday.
Jack Cook’s header in the 95th minute saw the hosts take all three points in a game Mcnulty felt could have gone either way.
Kairo Mitchell put Dale ahead but Wealdstone levelled in first-half stoppage time through Cook.
Dale regained the lead in the 52nd minute when Ryan East fired home from close range, but Sean
Adarkwa equalised four minutes later.
Cook snatched the winner five minutes into stoppage time with a header from Kyle Smith’s free-kick.
“The nature and the timing of the final goal is disappointing,” said Mcnulty.
“It’s tough to take with it being such a last-minute winner.
“Truthfully, I think both teams could have scored more goals.
“We could have won the game. Cian Hayes’ chance and Ian Henderson’s chance – goalline clearances for both of them.
“We could have been the team to get the third goal before they did.
“When they do get their goal, it ends the game. It’s disappointing, the timing.
“Do I think we did enough to win the game? I don’t think we did, to be honest. The game was always in the balance.
“I always thought we could score but they had chances too. It was a very open game. Both teams played good football and were brave and it could have gone either way. “Unfortunately, we were on the disappointing side of it.”
There was one change from the win at Hartlepool United a fortnight ago, as
Adam Clayton returned in place of Jesurun Uchegbulam, who had been ill during the week.
“Jes was ill. He’s missed a lot of training so we couldn’t start him.
“We had to work without him, so we changed it round a little bit. Easty got a goal for us from further forward – he played well.
“As we have done a lot this year, we changed the team around to try and win a game.
“Even at 2-2, we tried to win the game.
“I’m disappointed with all three goals coming from elements of crosses. That’s a disappointing factor and I’ll have to look
back at them. We have to take it on the chin today and move on to the next one.”
Mcnulty
Ferguson hopes Kyle will re-join training this week, as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
Dale also welcomed Cameron John back into the squad at Wealdstone on Saturday, following a hamstring injury which saw him side lined for six weeks.
“Cam was in really good form before he got injured,” said Mcnulty.
“We took our time getting it right and I’m confident we have got it right. Cam should begin to look like more of a significant option now come next week.
“We’re hoping Kyle joins in training this week. That will be another significant boost for us.
“Those guys can really help us with the type of goals that we conceded.
“Happy with where they’re at and confident that we’ve done things right with their injuries, and we can look to utilise them significantly now moving forward.”