John Hollins picked up his first point as Rochdale manager this afternoon as an improved performance saw Rochdale grab a draw at "the real St James Park"

Rochdale started off excellently and after just 2 mins Dale were ahead after Kevin Townson was put through and lobbed the keeper from the penalty spot.  This sent the 6 or so Dale fans wild in the shabby away end.

The first half was pretty uneventful apart from the goal and 2 stunning saves from Steven Banks, the second of which was one of the greatest saves I have ever seen.  Apart from this though the Exeter attack, led by Flack and Christian Roberts rarely troubled Banks but his kicking was miles better and he played very well indeed.

The second half started off even with both teams electing to play more attacking football and in the 62nd minute Exeter won a corner which wasn't cleared properly and Alex Watson popped up on the edge of the box to volley home from Banks' half clearance.

Both teams had a few chances, Rochdale's coming from Townson and Oliver mainly but the defence played well for Exeter, as did Rochdale's when called upon.

Rochdale now have an injury worry as Paddy McCourt came off with an ankle injury and it was Paul Ware who replaced him.  Ware didn't really effect the game attacking wise as Paddy had been doing.  This led to another substitution that saw Paul Connor come on for Darren Dunning who hadn't had the best of games to be honest.  It seemed like Hollins was going to play 3 up front but it ended up with Connor playing a midfield type of role and the game never really got going again.

The officials were not too bad apart from the linesman on our right hand side who had absolutely no idea and was never in a position to give any offsides at all yet quite a few were made by him.  I can say that we were much better than we were at Kidderminster as Gareth Griffiths had a very good game, as did Wayne Evans and Richard Jobson.

BRING ON THE CARLISLE FOR A SLAUGHTERING!!!!!!!!

Player ratings:

BANKS - 9.  Excellent game, kicking was excellent and he pulled off some fantastic saves.

EVANS - 7.  Another good game from Evo.  He cleared up when needed and was never caught out of position.

McAULEY - 6.  Not too bad but got caught out of position quite a few times by Roberts.  WE WANT DOUGHTY.

JOBSON - 7.  Good performance from Jobbo as usual and won several vital headers.

GRIFFITHS - 8.  Back to form again which is a relief.  He won countless headers and his marking was excellent.

McCOURT - 6.  Didn't really get into the game but always looks a threat when on the ball.  Hope he isn't out for too long.

DUNNING - 6.  Not the best of games for him as his passing was a bit off today but he tried hard as usual.

OLIVER - 7.  Good solid preformance from Oliver.  Passed well and got stuck in.

McLOUGHLIN - 6.  Never really got into the game but he did get stuck in when he had chance.

PLATT - 5  Not the Platt we were used to seeing today as he only won half of what he normally does in the air and his passing was dodgy.  Nothing went his way today.

TOWNSON - 7.  Scored a good one after just 2 minutes of his comeback but that was about it.  He looked good on the ball but never really got into the game after the goal.

Subs:

WARE - 5.  Nothing much to do but when he was on the ball looked miles off the pace.

CONNOR - 6.  Didn't really have time to get into the game but still looks off the pace a bit.

Photo: Action Images

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