PENNINES HONOURS SHARED
BOTH sides came from behind to take a share of the spoils in this entertaining Yorkshire/Lancashire derby in front of a bumper 3,500 crowd at The Shay.
Dale stalwart Ian Henderson fired the visitors in front on 18 minutes, only for two goals in four minutes from Aaron Cosgrave and Jamie Stott, from the penalty spot, to turn the tables.
But fullback Jimmy Keohane netted midway through the second half to earn Dale a point which keeps them within touching distance of the Shaymen in the battle for play-off places.
“It was a really entertaining, edge of the seat game to be honest,” said Halifax boss Chris Millington. “We have created good chances, but it’s tinged with frustration with uncharacteristic goals conceded.”
A somewhat nervy start sprung into life when a mix-up between the Halifax centre-backs resulted in Keohane providing a cross for Jeserun Uchegbulam and the ball bounced to Henderson to fire his eighth goal of the season.
Town looked to fight back immediately with Jack Hunter’s strike stopped by Louie Moulden, before Kane Thompson-Sommers played a deep cross to the back post for Millenic Alli, only for Moulden to intervene again.
But, on 31 minutes, Town got their reward with a long ball from Jordan Keane finding winger Max Wright whose cross found striker Cosgrave for a short-range finish to equalise – his first goal since October.
But Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty raged: “We were wronged by the officials. I’ve seen the first goal back, it’s one of the worst I’ve ever seen. The guy’s offside by nearly six metres!”
McNulty’s mood only worsened four minutes later when Alli played through Wright and Moulden rushed in and took the Halifax
man out. Referee Aji Ajibola pointed to the spot and Stott stepped up and sent Moulden the wrong way.
Town looked the more likely after the break withfull back Ryan Galvin going closest.
But it was Rochdale who struck next, on 67 minutes when Keohane skipped past Jordan Keane and coolly slotted the ball past Sam Johnson.
Substitute Jamie Cooke squandered a golden chance to restore Halifax’s
lead soon after when seizing upon a mistake by centre-back Ethan EbanksLandell but the Town forward’s effort somehow evaded the far post.
At the other end, Henderson latched onto Finlay Armstrong’s cross but his strike hit the post, while the Shaymen thought they had snatched a late winner in the dying moments when Jack Hunter’s shot crept through the legs of Moulden, but the keeper managed to keep it out just inches from the goalline to earn his side a point.
Relieved Dale boss McNulty added: “Brilliant. It was an amazing performance truthfully, really brave from our lads.
“I thought we were wronged by the officials. I’ve seen the first goal back. The guy is offside by six metres!”