Dale stormed back into the top three after a 2-0 win over local rivals Halifax at Spotland. In a dull encounter it took two goals from lanky striker Clive Platt to seal the win for Dale.

Well the run of defeats is over following a somewhat comfortable victory over what was an extremely poor Halifax side. Dale never really got going at all but always looked in control of the game, and in the end the three points were thoroughly deserved, as I for one can't remember Dale keeper Gilkes having a save to make.

The first half was a dull affair, which was only brightened up by some of the ludicrous decisions being made by tonight's referee. How on earth this idiot is allowed to officiate football matches is beyond me. Time after time he blew for fouls against Dale players when seemingly nothing had happened!

The second half though saw Dale come out all guns blazing and they dominated proceedings. The returning Graeme Atkinson was a revelation for Dale, as he controlled the left wing, beating his man at will and whipping in a number of fine crosses, without a doubt the man of the match. Dave Bayliss was worryingly taken off due to an inury and our sqaud is already down to the bare bones. He was replaced by Lee Duffy - what a star we have here! He out-fought and out-jumped the lanky strikers of Halifax on numerous occasions as well as bursting forward and putting in some good crosses, and he even had the nerve to shoot from 30 yards!

Dale's goals came courtesy of Clive Platt. The first came following an excellent cross from Atkinson on the left. Platt nipped in at the near post to nick the ball past the onrushing 'grandad' in the Halifax net Butler. The second wasn't long in coming. Clive Platt was sent through on goal, with just the keeper to beat he cooly side-footed the ball past him to seal the win.

Well we have climbed back up to third in the table, and deservedly so. Tonight's performance was one of guts and effort - so typical of this Dale team. At times we played some good football as well, especially in the second half. Such a shame that such few Dale fans bothered to turn up, around 2700 I believe, not really very many considering how well we have been doing. I know Parkin will no doubt have something to say about the situation. Lets hope we get a big crowd this Saturday for what will no doubt be a great came against high-flying Mansfield.

Photo: Action Images

Rochdale Polls