Tommy's Taylor made for last gasp equaliser

Tommy Taylor scored the late equaliser

The side was much strengthened from last weeks defeat at the hands of Blackpool. Neil Yadolahi was making his first appearance of the season at centre half and the full back slots were filled by Ed Williams and Curtis Woods. Joe McKee was back from injury in the middle alongside Dave Lynch who had returned from his international duties with the Republic of Ireland. There was also a first youth team run out for Shay McCartan following his international clearance being received.

It was McCartan who provided the only Claret highlight of the first half as with less that ten minutes on the clock he burst into the Rochdale box, running onto a McKee pass. He crashed a shot against the inside of the post and watched as it rebounded across the face of the goal.

Following that chance it was all one way traffic and we just weren't at the races. They took the lead just after the ten minute mark as our defence completely switched off and the Dale forward found himself in acres of space and stroked it past the advancing Ben Woodhead. It could have been much worse, as they hit the post from close range once Woodhead parried a long shot and saw numerous efforts of varying quality shovelled round the post.

The interval came and we were most fortunate to be only one goal behind. No changes were made at the break but we re-started the game with undoubtedly stern words ringing in our ears. Rochdale seemed to kick off the 2^nd half with a much lower tempo after their 1^st half exertions. There was momentary amusement for the spectators as the ref ran into the visiting full back, almost swallowing his whistle and needed treatment for a facial injury.

We made a change as Alex Mullin left the field to be replaced by the 1^st year terrier Steven Hewitt. About twenty minutes into the half good play from Woods won us and corner and McKee opted for a short corner routine. He received the ball back and drove a left footed cross low and hard into the 6 yard box where the ball was stabbed in. It could have been Tom Anderson but it looked suspiciously like an own goal.

For the next 15 minutes or so we dominated and spurned a number of chances. McKee headed wide and then shot wide from close range when a goal looked inevitable. The Dale keeper then tipped a Joe Jackson header over the bar at full stretch and tipped another McKee effort round the post. McCartan had to leave the field after picking up a knock and was replaced by Taylor.

Then with ten minutes left to go Rochdale stole a goal out of nothing. It was a touch fortunate as a cross looked to be shanked off the strikers shin and it looped past the helpless Woodhead. From the 1^st half display they deserved all 3 points but our 2^nd half display deserved a point and it looked like this was going to be denied us. However, deep into stoppage time McKee played a ball into the danger area and Taylor stabbed the ball home through the keepers legs.

Team:- Ben Woodhead, Ed Williams, Curtis Woods, Neil Yadolahi, Tom Anderson, Dave Lynch, Joe McKee, Alex Mullin (Steven Hewitt), Ross Wilson, Shay McCartan (Tommy Taylor), Joe Jackson.
Subs not used:- Christian Thewliss, Dean Overson, Steve Edwards