RELEGATED WHITE HAS TARGET FOR WANDERERS

DORKING Wanderers’ relegation from the National League was confirmed despite battling to a respectable draw at mid-table Rochdale, thanks to some excellent stops by Slavomir Huk in goal.

Charlie Carter’s effort just after the restart was cancelled out by a Devante Rodney goal soon after that confirms Marc White’s men will be playing Step 2 football next season after a two-year spell at the summit of non-league.

“The relegation is tough but the support we get is what gets me through,” said White “I’ve had loads of messages this week from neutrals wishing us well and that means a lot.

“We played well for large parts today and forced their keeper into three good saves. And Slav repaid the favour for us with some great stops at the end. He’s a brilliant shot-stopper.

He’s been with us since the park days, so for him to come here and play like that is massive.

“The plan for next season starts now and of course our plan is to win National League South.”

A tame first half saw Dale dominate possession and patiently wait for openings but it was Wanderers that created the best chances. A neat pullback by James Muitt on 20 minutes found Alfie Rutherford in the box but his effort was expertly parried over by Jacob Chapman.

And on the half-hour, Bobby-Joe Taylor hit a powerful effort from distance which Chapman again managed to claw away.

At the other end, Manchester United loanee

Sam Mather cut inside but his effort was tame and collected by Huk.

The visitors broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half when Rutherford’s effort was blocked straight to Carter, who hit a crisp half-volley in off the far post.

But Rochdale levelled seven minutes later when Kairo Mitchell received the ball in the box and fed Rodney on the right and he cut back in and fired expertly into the top-right corner.

Dorking responded immediately and would’ve retaken the lead if not for another expert parry from Chapman, Taylor’s cross met with a bullet header by Tony Craig but the Huddersfield loanee got a strong hand to keep it out.

It was all Rochdale for the final 20 minutes, as the hosts created chance after a chance. George Nevett carried the ball into the box and squared unselfishly to Mitchell but his placed effort flew just wide.

And Rochdale’s top scorer was to miss an even easier chance as he somehow turned over Ryan East’s corner. There was still time for Huk to make four saves in stoppage time.

“I’m surprised we haven’t won that game, given the chances we created,” said Dale boss Jimmy McNulty.

“We completely controlled and dominated and our chances grew and grew throughout the second half.

“We should’ve been out of sight but couldn’t get the ball in the net.”