Another win for the Dale. We could get used to this. Dale picked up the three points in a game of little incident. 

Another win for the Dale. We could get used to this. Dale picked up the three points in a game of little incident. If this winning run can be continued, then we might just feature in the top half of the table after all.

Dale recorded a 1-0 win over Mansfield, in a game that should have been over long before the end.

The match started in a sombre mood as a minute silence was held in respect for the Rochdale Hornet's player Karl Marriott who died last Friday evening. Despite the fact there is usually no love lost between Dale and Hornets fans, the minute's silence was immaculately observed by all, including the Mansfield fans who deserve respect for their part in it.

Dale started the game with the same side who beat Barnet last Saturday, playing five at the back with Williams and Sparrow continuing as wingbacks. There was a worry that this formation may be a too defensive format, especially at home, and during the first half these doubts surfaced. Dale did not play badly, not by a long way. They looked very comfortable at the back and Neil Edwards had very little to do. The three centre halves got stuck in and made some vital tackles when necessary. The two full backs pushed forward, but Dale although being on top, threatened little in a dour first half.

The second half started in perfect fashion for Dale. Dale won a debatable throw in, in front of the main stand. Sparrow took it and the ball found it's way to Jason Peake, who scored an acrobatic goal firing the ball into the top corner.

The second half continued in the same style as the first half. Dale looked very comfortable at the back, coming up with some crucial tackles. They looked a lot more penetrating going forward and Robbie Painter had an excellent match working well in tandem with Miquel De Souza. Dale had two glorious chances in the second half. The first went to Mark Williams who was slipped in by a through ball leaving him with a one on one with the Mansfield keeper Ian Bowling. He struck his shot just wide of the post. The second opportunity went to loan man Miquel De Souza whose shot was a carbon copy of that of Mark Williams.

The nearest Mansfield came to scoring was a long range cross/shot which went over the head of Neil Edwards. Somehow Neil got a hand to it from out of nowhere. The guy performs miracles. Rumour has it that at the Scarboro game when the pitch was waterlogged, Neil Edwards was seen walking across the water.

Mansfield stepped up the pressure in the last twenty minutes, in a similar way to the way Barnet did last week. Dale had a couple of chances on the break, and threatened to score again but to no avail. The 4th official held up a board indicating there would be 2 minutes of injury time, mainly due to Mansfield Town defender Warren Hackett who suffered a horrendous injury. He was applauded off by all. Anyway, Dale held out and continued their recent revival. The only bad point about this afternoon was Alan Johnson limping off with a leg injury. Obviously it is hoped that this injury is not related to his lay off last season.

Dale: Edwards, Williams, Sparrow, Hill, Monington, Johnson (Bayliss), Jones (Bailey), Painter, De Souza, Bryson, Peake. Sub not used Stuart

Photo: Action Images

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