Dale boss Steve Parkin was hugely disappointed as Dale conceded a late equaliser to let two vital points slip in this game. The result should never have been in doubt as Dale were a class above Lincoln.

A disappointing result for Dale as they gifted Lincoln a late equaliser when the result should have been sewn up a long time before. In fact, this game was almost identical to the Chester match two weeks previous, as Dale were well in control in the first half, taking the lead whilst completely dominating, then sitting back in the second half, allowing the opposition back into the match, and giving them an equaliser. Unfortunately, the main difference was that after losing the lead, Dale could not find a late winner to wrap up the points.

Dale went into the game with a couple of enforced changes. Mark Monington was out with a knee injury, but fortunately Dave Bayliss returned from suspension to take his place. Graham Lancashire suffered a mild thigh strain in training on Friday and was forced to sit out, meaning Clive Platt returned to first team action.

Attacking the Sandy Lane end of the ground in the first half, Dale seemed to be picking up exactly where they left off at the New Shay seven days previously. Dale were very much in control and looked to be a class above their visitors. As usual there was plenty of possession for the home side, and City were under quite a bit of pressure on the home goal.

However, the early breakthrough had to wait until the half hour mark when goal machine Dave Bayliss fired home from outside the box to put Dale one up. Clive Platt managed to control the ball inside the box, and with pressure from several defenders, he managed to poke the ball in the direction of Bayliss who fired home. This weeks goal celebration looked to involve the players proposing to Gary Jones on bended knees. For the first time at Spotland this season, chants of "Going Up" were heard.

Dale still managed to control the game, and should have really added a second before half time. However, they could easily have let the Imps back into the match. The first was a great chance but was fired wide from inside the six yard box, whilst the other came when Gibson spilled a cross but re-caught the ball before anyone else could react.

The second half saw Dale settle for their one goal lead, and allowed Lincoln back into the game. Although they offered very little, Dale did nothing to suggest a second goal would be on the cards.

Lincoln almost equalised when striker Gordon raced through completely in the clear, but Gibson saved very well. Unfortunately, Dale failed to heed this warning and with ten minutes to go, the visitors equalised. With their only corner of the match, Gibson came out to grab. With the close attention of Paul Miller who came flying in, the ball spilled loose and ended up in the back of the net. Debate raged whether Gibson was fouled or not, but the goal stood and was credited to Gavin Gordon.

The last few minutes saw Bruno brought on to replace the tiring Platt. Dale put the Imps under a lot of pressure to repeat the late winner seen against Chester, but it was not to be. Dale had a couple of shouts for penalties turned down. One of them seemed a very good case of handball, but the referee was having not of it.

So Dale's six match winning streak at Spotland came to an end. The result was very disappointing, and it was yet another case of things going wrong when the crowds turn up as over 3000 turned to watch this game with the WMG stand looking almost full. It would be hard to envisage those in Sandy being able to fit into this stand as well, as it is being considered for certain matches once the Willbutts Lane terrace closes.

Photo: Action Images

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