A late, late, late Tom Kennedy goal was enough to ensure that we scooped up all three points in a 2-1 victory against league two rivals Chesterfield.

If you’re one for believing in higher powers, then Saturday was your day. For the second successive Saturday, our game had the latest goal in the country but this time we were the beneficiaries as a Tom Kennedy late free kick .

The injustices of the lengthy injury time and subsequent equaliser at Rotherham were cancelled out with what was reportedly a ninety seventh minute winner. Were we adding up the extra time this week? Nope, I don’t think so either.

When the dust settled from the late, late winner, it wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say that this had been our worst display of the season. That's hardly putting the boot in as we'd been the better side in all previous games this time, but whilst we’d walked away from previous games recalling how we hadn’t got the result we deserved, this time we’d possibly had that break that some have been saying has been all that has been missing.

We went with the same side that we took to Sheffield last week, with Higginbotham replacing Thorpe on the bench. The visitors brought the return of Alan Goodall to Spotland with them, prompting a decent reception for the former Dale left back.

The first half was about as action packed as an episode of Heartbeat. Lots of midfield play, but no chances, no talking points, no quality. That’s probably a tad on the harsh side, but few were surprised at Spotland when both sides went in at half time goalless.

We were the closest to breaking the deadlock, when Alfie and Rhodes both had efforts following a Dale corner, but both attempts were blocked by the Spireites, the second of which was without doubt the nearest we came.

Chesterfield did little to suggest they were capable of scoring during the first half, and despite decent movement from Ward, they played like a side missing their talisman who they have over relied upon. It was almost like they were looking round for someone else to produce that little bit of magic rather than taking that responsibility and doing it themselves.

Half time came, with the surprising lack of Tommy Lee to do the half time draw which I think most people would have been expecting. We did have a new club competition instead where if you hit the cross bar from the half way line seven times on the trot you get a fiver off the new away shirt.

The visitors were the first out for the second half and they had also come out with something of a spring in their step. Unusually when compared to recent games, we didn’t come out and control the second half possession like we normally tend to, and arguably Chesterfield had more of a grip on the game.

They were the closest to breaking the stalemate. Indeed, most of the away end were off celebrating a goal following one chance where Sammy Russell had to earn his corn with a save from Jamie Ward. A top class save without doubt when it seemed for all the world like it was in.

And then came the breakthrough and the goal, and it brought with it plenty of controversy. Not as to whether it should have been allowed or not, but whether it was meant or not. It would appear that I was the only person at the game who believed that Will Buckley actually meant it, but I reserve the right to change my mind when I see a replay later.

Buckley had broke into the right hand side of the penalty area, and from a tightish angle (think Van Basten territory) he unleashed a shot / cross (perhaps not quite Van Basten style though) which gave the youngest person in the world to be called Trevor no chance whatsoever, with the ball nestling nicely in the back of the net.

There are some who still feel the need for a right winger for that side, but with two goals, and two penalties won in his last four games from right wing, is there really a need to do anything other than stick with oor Wullie on the right?

However, the goal from Buckley didn’t bring about the change of fortune we’d been hoping for. If anything it sparked the opposition into life. They didn’t look like scoring but they had a number of half efforts and speculative chances.

It felt like we were just seeing out time, and there was little fear when the referee awarded the visitors a free kick some thirty yards from the Dale goal. Indeed, there was even less fear when the diminutive Ward decided to have a crack as it had all the venom of a garden worm. But it was too much for Russell to handle and he fumbled the ball into the back of the net.

It was clear the goal was still playing on the mind of Russell a few moments after the goal, as he remained rooted to the line as panic ensued in the Dale box, and there was a very real danger that Chesterfield could escape with the win.

So the seconds were ticking away, it was left for one last throw of the dice, and a clearance forward gave loanee Rhodes half a chance. It was a race between him, a defender and the opposition keeper Carson. It was Rhodes who got their first, propelling the ball into aerospace.

I don’t doubt for one moment that there was a collective silence in a Muirhead stylee as we all waited for the ball to come down from orbit to see it if might land in the back of the net. We were to be disappointed.

But in putting in that last gasp attempt, Rhodes was taken out by Carson, and the referee rightfully brought it back for a free kick on the edge of the box. Debate may rage in deepest darkest Derbyshire as to whether the free kick should have been given or not, as they will view it that Rhodes got his shot in, but if a player gets taken out after making a pass, the free kick is brought back, so why should this be any different?

The four minutes on injury time had long since passed and with the free kick about to be taken, striker Jamie Ward decided to jog back and help out by running right in front of the wall. The referee had no option but to produce a second yellow, and Ward was dismissed for what may have been the softest sending off ever.

With Ward off the pitch, the threat of a Spireites breakaway was diminished and another body was sent forward to help out, giving Carson something else to think about. But there was only ever going to be one option, and TK stepped up and produced a curling effort which nestled into the top right corner, and 85 games into the Keith Hill reign as manager, we scored our first free kick.

The impromptu celebrations with the bench spoke as much about a collective relief as it did about celebration, and whilst questions may have been asked in certain quarters, the togetherness is still there, and this Dale family ensured that Saturday evening would be one of enjoyment rather than reflection.

Three points in the bag and rather than discussions about what might have been, it was all about what was. Who says we’re crap at set pieces anyway?

Photo: Action Images

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