Once, again Dale could not convert possession into goals, as visitors Hartlepool reversed the scoreline seen at the Victoria Ground just a few weeks ago.

Once, again Dale could not convert possession into goals, as visitors Hartlepool reversed the scoreline seen at the Victoria Ground just a few weeks ago. The relegation threatened side pulled off the classic "smash and grab" performance, scoring with one of their very few chances.

Many of Dale's reports this season have gone on to say that Dale should have won, but never put their chances away. Same old story I'm afraid. Dale absolutely battered Hartlepool, but it just never went in. It really was unbelievable how Dale never got a cricket score against a team struggling against relegation.

Dale made a couple of changes with Gary Jones making his first start since November coming in at right back with Sparrow switching to his now usual position of left back. Mark Monington returned after suspension replacing Dave Bayliss who had to make do with a spot on the bench. Jason Peake returned for the injured Ian Bryson.

Dale always looked like they would win this game and they started in that fashion. If anything, the previous weeks win against high flyers Brentford made them a little complacent, and this may have contributed to their downfall.
Hartlepool looked all right at times, playing some nice football knocking the ball about. They were also a very physical team, and it was a miracle that none of their players were booked. Every challenge had a little nudge, and some were very over the top. Andy Morris was the victim of some horrible stuff by the monkey hangers number five.

The referee, Mike Pike, was very happy to allow these and his laissez faire attitude resulted in a bit of handbags late in the second half between the players.

The goal came halfway through the first half. Hartlepool knocked the ball about cleverly and the ball found its way to ex Donny Rovers player Ian Clark who caused all sorts of problems. He found the ball in acres of space and he was left with the easy task of putting the ball in the back of the net. It was a very similar goal to those we conceded down at Torquay. This was a rare attack for the visitors, compared to the large number at the other end.

The second half brought the expected onslaught by Dale as they attacked the Sandy Lane end. The only problem was that they could not stick the ball in the onion bag. Time and time again, it looked like Dale had grabbed an equaliser as they pressed but it was not to be.

Dale's best chance came a few minutes into the second half when Mark Stuart who came on as a substitute had one of his trademark free kicks. It was just outside the box, and with the wall about 3 yards away from him, he curled it round the box, but the ref blew to bring it back. This time he went for the other side of the goal, curling over the wall and it looked for all the world like he had done the business, but it hit the inside of the post with the keeper nowhere and the ball rebounded right across the six yard box past the other post.

Dale continued to press forward and Mark Monington was pushed forward to bolster the attack, but still nothing would fall right for them. Mark Stuart caused all sorts of problems down the left hand touchline. Paul Carden again looked a real prospect as he gave his all, showing an excellent mix of skill and steel. Michael Holt came close on countless occasions, with his best effort coming in the last minute when he fired the ball onto the upright from a few yards out, leaving it shuddering in its wake.

It really was not Dale's day. The ref blew without adding any injury time, to give Hartlepool their first win in ten matches. Dale can count themselves unlucky not to have buried Hartlepool by half time. I honestly thought they played well on a difficult pitch. However, playing well and losing to poor teams will not achieve anything. This is another game against poor opposition where we have lost. This really needs looking at.

To make things worse, Alan Johnson limped off during the first half, with what looked at first a very serious injury. It looked like a problem with his left knee. With our track record of injuries, I think we could well have seen the last of Psycho for some time.

Dale: Edwards, Jones (Barlow), Sparrow (Bayliss), Farrell, Monington, Johnson (Stuart), Carden, Painter, Morris, Peake, Holt.
 

Photo: Action Images

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