Dale came from behind to take the lead for the first time in almost two years, and for a while it looked like that would be enough to secure Dale's second home win on the trot.

Dale came from behind to take the lead for the first time in almost two years, and for a while it looked like that would be enough to secure Dale's second home win on the trot. High flying Scunthorpe had other ideas, and came up with a late late equaliser to take a share of the spoils.

Dale fell victim to a last gasp equaliser when their first victory from behind in two years looked to be on the cards.
Scunthorpe took the lead in a dismal first half. The ball was given to one time Dale target Jamie Forrester who shot on the turn firing the ball beyond the reach of Neil Edwards into the top corner. It was a fantastic goal by the ex-Leeds player and was the one moment of real quality in the first half. It must be said that Dale were dreadful in the first half. I can't remember them winning one attacking header. It was the same old story as useful balls went wasted as there was no one to get on the end of them. Scunthorpe were much the more dominant team and played with an effective gameplan. Their tactics were to get as many people forward as possible when attacking and as many people back when defending. The half time brought welcome relief to those in blue as it looked like we were facing another Torquay at the very least.

The second half started much more positively by Dale and they looked like they had a chance of getting something out of the game. Stuart and Diaz operated well down the flanks but again the finish was never there. The breakthrough came when Stuart who was turning the Scunny right back for fun all afternoon got inside the box, and was brought down by a defender. It looked a penalty. The scunny player definitely impeded Stuey's run and it was a goal threatening chance. The ref seemed to take ages to give the decision before pointing to the stop. Robbie Painter took the responsibility and fired to the keeper's right into the back of the onion bag. This was Robbie's first goal in what has been a difficult season so far.

It remained to be seen whether Dale would crumble as they did at Hull or go in search of the win at this point. They looked more threatening when attacking and Stuart was getting inside the box on regular occasions.
Not longer after Dale scored the ref gave Scunthorpe a penalty after a goal mouth scramble. Edwards had raced back to stop the ball crossing the line before Stokes cleared it. I have no idea at all why the ref gave them a penalty. The Dale players couldn't believe it as they knew not why it had been given. Edwards was booked for dissent for throwing the ball towards the penalty spot in frustration at the decision. With no reserve keeper at the club at the moment, Sir Neil Edwards must watch his temper as this was his second booking for dissent in a week. We cannot afford to have him fall foul of the "5 bookings and a ban" law. Edwards answered the Scunny players in the best possible way by saving the penalty, by diving to his left. To be fair it was a badly taken penalty, but you still have to stop them.

The next Dale goal came when Mark Monington who is looking an excellent acquisition by manager Graham Barrow fired a header into the top right hand corner, to the delight of the adoring Sandy Laners. This had been a remarkable turn around by a team who didn't look capable of anything in the first half.

Dale had about twenty minutes to hold on to the lead for. Dale should have had another penalty with about ten minutes to go. Again Stuart was inside the box and was fouled. Stuart tried to carry on before going down a couple of yards after. Had the ref not given the previous penalty there would have been no doubt.

Scunthorpe stepped up their attacking in the last five minutes. Dale could only answer with long high balls to either Diaz or Painter to run on to. It looked like Dale would hold out but up stepped a Scunny forward to head the ball into the top corner out of Neil's reach.

An improved second half perfomance must not mask the fact that the first half was garbage. To be successful we must play at our peak for the full ninety minutes. The players responded well to what was said at half time, and it would be cruel to fault them for either goal.

Edwards was fantastic as ever. His penalty save was Dale's first since Neil Dunford saved one against Doncaster some years previous (I think). He dealt well with the aerial balls and coped well with the atrocious conditions.

Paul Sparrow had a mixed game. In the first half he was as bad as anyone on the pitch. In the second he tackled well, and distributed the ball well also. Whether it's a confidence or a concentration thing I don't know. As I said above, we need players who can play for 90 minutes.

Dean Stokes was excellent as usual with some breathtaking tackles. Again his distribution was improved on recent games and he more than made up for his error up at Hull.

Andy Farrell made a couple of crucial tackles and supported the attack well at times. He is seen by many to be one of the weak links in the team. I feel that he has had his best games in a Dale shirt whilst playing in defence. He is no spring chicken and at 35-ish must find it very difficult to keep going throughout the match.

Mark Monington was splendid. He took his goal well and marshalled the defence. He is like a new Alan Johnson. When Johnno returns, he and Mono will form a fearsome partnership assuming they can hit it off.

Keith Hill played well. He is much more suited to defence than playing in front of them as Graham Barrow had him doing earlier this season. He came up with some timely tackles and like Mono is useful in the air.

Diaz was given more service than he had up at Hull on Tuesday. Both he and Stuart are lacking somebody to get on the end of his crosses. They both made more entries into the box than they had in previous weeks and both looked dangerous.

Painter ran himself into the ground again without getting much look. He needs somebody to play alongside desperately. Whether Lanky is the man remains to be seen, as he is just getting back to fitness.

Bailey ran all over the place and had a good second half getting stuck on many occasions. He gives 100% every week, and cannot be faulted for that.

Bryson seemed to have made his peace with Graham Barrow after Tuesday's strop at Hull. He linked up excellently with Stuart. What a difference since he came inside!

Teams like Scunthorpe must be beaten. They may be up the top, but when we sit back we make it easy for them. We made them look a good side in the first half. We could have finished them off easy. Scunny brought a good following down to Dale, which goes to show what can be achieved by a good start. Though quite noisy in the first half, they shut up once Dale equalised and were never heard again. Even the Pearl Street outsang them in the second half. They have not brought this many fans to Spotland since the FA cup game a few years ago.

Dale: Edwards, Sparrow, Stokes, Hill, Monington, Farrell, Diaz, Painter, Bailey, Bryson, Stuart. Subs not used Lancashire, Jones, Bayliss

Photo: Action Images

Rochdale Polls