Dale stopped the row of defeats, but could only muster a pitiful 3-3 draw at home to lowly Exeter. Another dismal performance from Dale.

Quite what the hell is happening at the moment at the club is beyond belief. We have turned from a top of the table side into relegation fodder in a matter of months. Mark my words if things don't change we will be battling against relegation this season.

Exeter came to Spotland sitting next to bottom of the league on the back of a 4-0 mauling at home to Darlington. Surely it was time for Dale to stop the rot and turn things around against much weaker opposition. Nope not much chance of that happening!

Dale announced changes to the side. Evans was recalled, but played centre back replacing Jobson. Beech made his first start in months in the centre. And god only knows why but McEvilly played on the right wing. Platt returned to partner Connor up front.

Within a minute of the start, the visitors went ahead. Another melee in the box, the Dale defence not having a clue as usual as to what was going on. The ball fell to 'his name is Flack' who hit the ball into the corner of the net.

Dale woke up, sort of, and starting to go in search of an equaliser. Connor and Platt were linking well but the ball was not running for them. Beech had an early shot that dipped over the bar. Simpson also unleashed a long range drive, this one smacking the top of the bar and coming back into play.

Platt had a great chance to level the scores. He broke free in the box and was one on one with the keeper. However his low shot was saved by the keepers legs. It just didn't seem to be our night in front of goal.

Up popped Chris Beech though right at the end of the first half. A deep Simpson free kick found Beech at the back post, who headed/faced the ball into the back of the net. Dale were level, Beech was hurt, cracked jaw was the rumour going round. Least he managed almost a full half!

The second half got better for Dale, as they went ahead for the first time. A Paul Simpson free kick was struck excellently into the top corner giving the keeper no chance whatsoever. Surely we would go on and seal the game now?

Not a bloody chance, cue calamity defending as usual, and some awful officiating. An Exeter played controlled the ball with his hand outside the box, before smacking the ball against the bar. The ball found its way out to the wing, where the cross picked out an unmarked 'his name his Flack' who headed in his second of the game.

The groans from the Sandy Lane soon turned into boos. Exeter took the lead shortly after. After good work down the wing, Thomas unleashed a curling effort into the top corner giving Taffy no chance. Dale were behind, and we were getting ripped apart by the worst team we have played this season. A shambles at best.

With time running out Dale grabbed a point. Another set piece and another goal. Griffiths rising at the back post to head home a Simmo corner. A point however simply was not good enough. Our defence is shambolic. Fair enough we looked better going forward, but our chances come from set pieces or are 30 yard efforts. We do not create enough good chances.

We are going absolutely nowhere. Last chance for Simmo to redeem himself in my eyes on Saturday. Rushden at home, good side, tough game. Nothing less than three points and a commanding performance is going to do. The boo boys will soon be out in force Simmo, please get it right and now! Less than 2000 there tonight. Can you blame the stay-a-ways?!

Photo: Action Images

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