JIMMY’S DENIED BY GALLANT MINSTERS

ROCHDALE head coach Jimmy McNulty insisted this scoreless encounter with York was two points dropped rather than one gained but praised his much-improved side for their efforts.

Dale missed the chance to climb into the play-off positions but went closest to securing the points – Iain Henderson seeing a late goal ruled out for offside before York keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy made a fine save from Tyrese Sinclair’s volley to earn his side a share of the spoils.

“It just didn’t go in did it?,” McNulty said.

“I thought we were very dominant, spent both sets of 45 minutes in York City’s half.

“With a game like that it is always a fear that they will be counter attacked.”

In front of a travelling army of 630 fans at Spotland, Neal Ardley’s side began well with a tremendous run from Will Davies setting up Olly Dyson inside 24 seconds but his strike was brilliantly tipped over the bar by keeper Louis Moulden for a corner.

Dale, however, soon settled down and they carved out their first opportunity on six minutes when the lively Jesurun Uchegbulam set up a half chance for Henderson but the ball was scrambled clear.

The remainder of the game was continued pressing by a Dale side with the odd reminder of the dangers of conceding from a counter attack that McNulty had been so wary of, with Dyson having several efforts which Moulden in the Rochdale goal was equal to.

Dale had a penalty appeal on 24 minutes when captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell was grounded but all he got from the encounter was a booking for simulation.

The start of the second half continued in the same way with Dale striker Ian Henderson seeing two disallowed goals one of which was a dubious decision as he seemed to be on side.

Henderson came closest to scoring on 72 minutes which was inches wide of the far post.

And York keeper George Sykes-Kenworthy was also suitably active particularly on 76 minutes when he pushed Sinclair’s shot just wide.

The game was also a man of the match performance from 17-yearold Rochdale defender defender George Nevett, who is being watched by several Premier League sides.

His performance drew com- pliments from head coach McNulty.

“George epitomises Rochdale this season, he has character belief and skill. He is a brilliant footballer.

York boss Ardley said: “Without the ball it was a fantastic effort, we had structure and these are a free flowing team with their full-backs underlying their wingers.

“Our quality let us down and our quality in the transitions was really poor, but I can’t fault the team’s effort, the team spirit, the camaraderie to put bodies on the line and to defend our box properly.”