For the second game in succession a late penalty scuppers Dale's hopes of a win. Dale are held to a 3-3 draw at Bournemouth, when we almost snatched all three points.

Turquoise coloured penguins, showaddywaddy!? What the bloody hell am I on about!? Who knows, who cares! A long trip home from Bournemouth after a 3-3 draw for Dale in our first ever visit to the Fitness First stadium. A long day to say the least and in the end a good result at a high flying team, but it might have been so different.

Dale were forced into a change, with Scott Warner being given a place as right wing back. However, Dale, in the first half especially, changed formation more than I thought humanly possible, with different variations of 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 being used.

The first half saw Bournemouth come out very strong and with their first real chance of the game they took the lead. A deep cross eluded the entire Dale defence and  Browning popped up to stab the ball into the net, via the aid of a slight deflection.

Bournemouth were very much on top and a long range drive was struck against the underside of the bar, and the follow whistled just over the top. Headers went over, and shots were drilled wide, Dale were very much on the defensive.

However with our only chance of the half from open play, Dave Flitcroft unleashed a stunning volley into the bottom corner from 20 yards out to bring Dale right back into the game

Bournemouth kept on pressing, and just before half time they put themselves back into the lead. Pacy winger Thomas completely skinned Warner and his deep cross was headed back the way it came into the top corner of the net by Steve Fletcher.

But then into stoppage time Dale were awarded a penalty. A throw into the box, saw Platt challenge for a header. It appeared the ball struck a defenders arm, and the referee pointed to the spot. Lee McEvilly took the responsibility and blasted the kick into the roof of the net to send Dale in at half time on level terms.

A very poor first half from Dale, but the second saw a marked improvement. It was an end to end game, neither side though managing to create and solid chances, and both keepers were kept relatively quiet.

Dale took the lead for the first time in the game when Bournemouth's dodgy keeper hit a clearance straight at McEvilly, it struck the Irish man's arm VERY clearly, but nevermind! The loose ball fell to Platt 20 yards out and with the keeper in 'no man's land', the lanky striker stroked the ball into the empty net.

Could Dale hold on? It seemed that we might just have been able to do it, but up stepped the referee to intervene again. He judged that there was a push in the back of a Bournemouth player in the box from a cross and awarded a penalty to the home side. O'Connor stepped up and despite Taffy getting his hands to it, he could only help it into the net.

A draw in the end, and another gutsy performance. Completely lacking creativity as usual, but we battled back well in the second half. Perhaps a bit fortunate overall to get away with a point, but its welcomed, though we really could have done with the win. We are really too far behind now, and it seems like the season is all but over.

Photo: Action Images

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