An amazing game at Bootham Crescent as Dale managed to miss two penalties and yet still hang on for a draw, against a poor York side, who are somehow challenging for promotion!

Dale could have taken all three points today, if a bit of luck had been on their side. Despite two penalty misses, Evil scoring the rebound on the second, and a concussion to Matt Gilks, with no other keeper on the bench, Dale were still the better side.

Connor put Dale ahead after just 3 minutes as he rounded the keeper and tucked the ball into the empty net following a through ball which cut York's defence apart. This was to be our only effort of the first half though.

York put the pressure on, but it just didn't seem to be getting them anywhere. Disaster struck though for Dale after about 10 minutes, after Matt Gilks collided with the post knocking himself unconscious in an attempted to keep a shot out, which hit the woodwork also.

With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, Lee McEvilly took the responsibility of going between the sticks and did a fine job. York however grabbed a dubious equaliser 10 minutes before half time. Apparently Griffiths pushed a player in the back in the box, only the officials saw it, no one even protested at all!

The penalty was tucked away, but if it hadn't been for a cruel bobble just before it reached Evil, he may well have saved it. The scorer Graydon, was VERY lucky not have got sent off though a few minutes later. A referee with sight though would have produced the red card. Graydon in a tribute to Maradonna, punched the ball into the net from a cross, yet was only booked.

The second half saw an end to end game, with Dale having the better of the chances, against a York side who struggled throughout. Dale were awarded a penalty which was also dubious, maybe a bit less so than the first one. Griffiths was having his shirt pulled, and the ref pointed at the spot. Connor though hit a weak spot kick and it was saved.

York then went back up the other end and took the lead. A cross from the left was guided home into the top corner by the head of Edmondson, giving Evil no chance at all.

Dale were then awarded their second penalty of the game, and this one was a cast iron one. Evans was brought to the ground by a reckless tackle inside the area, and this time there was no disputing it. Evil came charging up from his goal to take the kick. He hit it straight at the keeper, but it fell kindly and he buried the rebound in the bottom corner.

That was the end of the scoring, but Dale could have taken all three points, as Flicker went close twice, and Simmo and Connor almost broke through on goals. At the other end, Evil did well to smother an effort after storming off his line.

A much better display today, which some fine individual performances. Connor ran his socks off, Paddy was a threat, especially in the second half. Flicker battled for everything. The defence was solid, Evans shone throughout, and the new wing back Hockenhull offered another option and played well.

With 6 games to go, and Simpson's job seemingly not secured yet for next season, today's performance did his case a lot of good, and I'm sure if he can give us 6 more battling performances like this, then maybe, just maybe he can give us something to look forward to next season.

Photo: Action Images

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