Apologies for it being late, computer problems to blame! Dale managed to come away from Spotland with a point after they took on high flyers Scunthorpe United. Full match report and player ratings online now.

Rochdale took on high flyers Scunthorpe United in the hope of three more points to further our push for the playoffs.  The game finished 0-0 and the general view was that it was a good point and the league table also suggests so with Dale lying just 4 points from the playoffs with a decent end of season run it to come.

There were a couple of changes to the team that drew at Swansea in that Paul Tait was suspended after seeing red at the Vetch and Wayne Evans returned to the defence replacing Jamie Clarke who took up his position in midfield as Rickie Lambert was pushed forward into a strikers role.  Matt Gilks was in net with Wayne Evans, Alan Goodall, Gareth Griffiths and Tony Gallimore lining up in defence.  Scott Warner, Jamie Clarke and Gary Jones were in midfield with Rickie Lambert, Leo Bertos and Grant Holt up front.  Neil Edwards, Gary Brown, Neil Brisco, Ernie Cooksey and Leighton McGivern were on the bench.

The first half wasn't the greatest to watch but overall I think Dale just about shaded it in terms of performance.  With just over 10 minutes gone Dale should have been in the lead when Grant Holt crossed the ball low and Leo Bertos just had to attack it and didn't and the chance was lost.

We had to wait until near the half hour mark for the next decent chance and it fell to Dale's leading marksman Grant Holt who picked the ball up around 20 yards out and fired a powerful shot goalwards which Musselwhite looked to have covered but he wasn't comfortable with it at all and just palmed it away.

With not long to go before half time, Jamie Clarke had a good chance to put Dale in the lead.  Rickie Lambert swung a good corner in and after a couple of headers, it fell to Clarke about 12 yards out but his volley was poor and flew over the Sandy Lane.

It wasn't all Dale though a Scunthorpe began to get into the game more and had a great chance towards the end of the half.  Peter Beagrie supplied an excellent cross which found Steve Torpey whose header was poor and the chance was gone.

Rickie Lambert had a half chance just before the half time whistle when he latched onto a Holt flick on and volleyed goalwards but it didn't trouble the Scunny keeper.

Half time came and it wasn't bad from Dale's perspective but in truth, and I won't say this often, but we were missing Tait's influence on Holt.

The second half started well for the visitors who were looking to get into the game more than they did in the first half.  Steve Torpey again had a great chance to score but he smashed the ball over from about 5 yards after Beagrie had found him with a cross.

With the hour mark approaching, the referee made an absolute howler of a decision when Grant Holt and Peter Beagrie had a bit of a barney off the ball and it ended up with Holt saying something to Beagrie and Beagrie got up and head butted Holt!  Somehow the referee only saw it as worthy of a caution to the Scunny pensioner!

The half was dominated then by the visitors but for all the possession they had, they never managed to trouble Gilks.

Dale had a half chance late on when Holt shot but his effort was easily saved by Musselwhite but that was it for goalmouth action and the game petered out into a 0-0 draw which at the end of it all, was a decent point but Dale now face a huge trip to Southend on Good Friday which will be another big test.

Player Ratings:

Matt Gilks 6 His kicking was poor and it does need sorting because one day it will cost us a goal.  Other than that he did alright though wasn't really troubled

Wayne Evans 7 A welcome return to right back and he looked fairly solid considering he was up again Beagrie

Alan Goodall 7 Another good game for Alan Goodall who did well defensively and got forward well

TONY GALLIMORE 7 My M.O.M, just shading it over Gooders.  He defended excellently and never really looked in trouble despite being against a very strong attack

Gareth Griffiths 7 Another solid game for Griff who still manages to win every header he goes up for

Scott Warner 6 Battled well and did ok

Jamie Clarke 6 He battled a little more than usual but he passing was sometimes off, had a great chance first half but it flew over the Sandy

Gary Jones 7 Ran all game and worked very hard without much luck

Leo Bertos 6 Looked better than the recent away games but that's not really saying much

Rickie Lambert 7 Long range passing was superb as usual and he did quite well

Grant Holt 7 Had a couple of good chances but doesn't look as good when the prolific Tait isn't up front with him

Subs:  

Ernie Cooksey 7 Worked very hard when he came on and did well

Leighton McGivern 6 Did nothing when he came on other than get booked

Photo: Action Images

Rochdale Polls