RODNEY’S STRIKE PUTS DALE ON THE RIGHT PATH

ROCHDALE made it three wins in a row but Maidenhead left Lancashire feeling they could have got something out of the game.

The home side took the points thanks to a 38th-minute goal from Devante Rodney.

For Ryan Peters, Magpies assistant manager, the result was a source of disappointment.

“Our work rate was superb; the result was not what we wanted but we carved a few chances that we could have got something out of but obviously the difference at the moment is fine details,” he said. “Obviously, a great disappointment that Reece (Smith) had to come off at half time.

“At 1-0 down we were still in the game and thought we threw everything at them until the very end. Had a few half chances but we should have got something out of the game today.”

It was a scrappy first half and with chances few and far between. It looked to be heading goalless at half time. But shortly before the break, Dale skipper Ebanks-Landell produced the pass of the match into the box, Kairo Mitchell quickly fired at keeper Craig Ross who saved well, but Rodney was quick to head the rebound and break the deadlock.

De Havilland came close to levelling the scoreline just before half time but his firm header went agonisingly wide for the visitors.

The second half was a tight affair but, with man of the match Ryan East starting to get more room in midfield, it was much more open and both sides had shots off target.

The Magpies had their best spell deep into the second half but the Dale defence and particularly debutant goalkeeper Jacob Chapman held firm to enable the home side to registered its third win in a row and give them an outside chance of making the playoffs.

At the beginning of the week the home side did not have a fit goalkeeper on their books with No.1 keeper Tiernan Brooks called up on international duty until Huddersfield Town loaned Chapman

“A pleasing win at home,” said Rochdale head coach Jim McNulty,

“Home has been a good place for us, as there is a good connection between players and fans, Sandy Lane end singing their heart out throughout the game is a big plus.

“I always mention if because it is so powerful for us when we all push towards getting that outcome at home that we want, against a team that are desperate and fighting for their lives and Maidenhead are a dangerous outfit.

“They are very careful – they watch you and then strike on the break. They nearly did it to us as well.

“We had to have more courage, more belief, to try and break them down.

It was a brilliant goal we scored and then we kicked on in the second half – the players were slightly disappointed that they did not make it more.”

STAR MAN: Ryan East (Rochdale) ATT: 2,267 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Dale Baines