Rochdale go back to the top of the league following a 1-0 win at Swansea. A Tony Ford goal settled a dull affair at the Vetch Field.

Dale lined up with the same team that took on Mansfield over a week ago. The rest meant that Dave Bayliss and Kevin Townson had recovered to take their places on the bench.

The game started off poorly but Swansea were the better team, with Dale not really getting going.. Gilkes did well to tip a low cross around the post. Then disaster struck for Dale when Graeme Atkinson was taken off with what appeared to be an injury. A real blow especially when he has only just returned from injury. Swansea then got a free kick a few yards outside the Dale box which hit the bar, however it was re-taken and it sailed over into the stand.

Swansea had another attack soon and Gilkes made a good save low down before Griffiths knocked it behind for a corner, which came to nothing. Tony Ford then broke into the Swans box and hooked the ball onto the bar! The ball feel to Platt who tried to give it back to Ford who was just inches away from turning it home.

Tony Ford then gave Dale the lead somewhat against the run of play on 31 minutes. The ball was whipped in by Doughty, and flicked on by Platt before Ford arrived to knock the ball home. The goal really knocked Swansea off their stride and Dale looked the better side for a while after.

Swansea started the second half the better, and after a few minutes Coates hit a low volley from a corner just over the bar. If it had gone in it would of been a wonder goal. After this Dale tried to slow things down and dictated the play for a while, without really creating any chances of note.

The rest of the second half saw Swansea go forward in search of an equaliser, which limited Dale to counter-attacking. The Swans couldn't find a way through the Dale defence though and didn't really look like scoring at all. At the other end Clive Platt had a a great chance to finish the game off, but his header went wide.

All in all a great win for Dale in Europe! We went to Wales expecting a draw at best but we've come back with all three points and we sit proudly back at the top of the league once again.

Photo: Action Images

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