Dale returned to winning ways with a 2-0 defeat of Torquay at Spotland. Young star Kevin Townson added another zero to his price tag with another two goals.

The Dale line up saw the return of Keiron Durkan, albeit on the left wing. Kevin Townson was started up front with Platt. The rest of the team was the same that crashed at Orient the previous week.

The first half was a drab affair with both sides creating little in the way of chances. Dale seemed somewhat off the pace at times and didn't seem to be interested. The best chances fell to Townson, who twice put the ball into the side netting when he maybe should of done better.

Harsh words were probably said in the Dale dressing room at half time by Mr Parkin, and it worked a treat. With just 4 minutes of the second half gone Dale took the lead. A neat build up down the right wing from Platt and Ford, saw the 42 year old veteran whip in a cross to Townson who steered the ball past ex-Dale keeper Kevin Dearden.

Torquay started to push men forward in search of an equaliser, but their efforts were very poor, in fact Hahnemann barely had anything to do really, except catch crosses. In doing so though Torquay left huge spaces at the back and Platt and Townson were fully exploiting them.

The game soon turned into the Townson show, and he really could of had 5 today. Firstly he missed his kick with just the keeper to beat, and then a few minutes later he did almost the same again. Keiron Durkan also had a good chance when he nipped in at the back post but his volley went just wide.

With just a couple of minutes left Townson had the perfect chance to seal the game. Ford broke down the right and there was pretty much just Townson in the box on his own. His left boot met the cross but the ball flew upwards and went just over the bar from 4 yards out. No sooner had this happened though and Townson did get his second of the game in somewhat bizzare cirumstances.

McCourt (who had replaced Platt) challenged for a header  but the Torquay defender won it and it went towards Dearden in the net. Townson though was alert and nipped in, before coolly knocking the ball over Dearden who was stood still on his 6 yard line. A truly cheeky effort from the young scouser, and his 10th goal of the season.

Well we are back to winning ways and we still have half of our squad out through injury. Young Kevin Townson was superb today, despite all the misses he still had the cheek and talent to chip the keeper when one on one. What will we do when Paul Connor comes back!?

Photo: Action Images

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