Saturday 19th August 2006 - 3pm

 0

Notts County

 1

1

Matt Gilks

1

Kevin Pilkington

2

Simon Ramsden

6

Matt Somner

4

Ernie Cooksey

2

David Pipe

5

John Doolan

9

Jason Lee

19

Lee Crooks

5

Alan White

14

Gary Brown

11

Andy Parkinson 90

10

Iyseden Christie 63

3

Austin McCann

11

Adam Rundle 81

4

Mike Edwards

12

Alan Goodall

20

Junior Mendes 66

18

Nathan Stanton

22

Dan Gleeson

9

Chris Dagnall 77

24

Ian Ross 75

Substitutes

13

Lloyd Rigby

23

Saul Deeney

15

Joe Thompson 77

18

Steve Hunt 90

14

Jon Boardman

8

Dan Martin 75

7

Darrell Clarke 81

15

Tcham N'Toya 66

20

Clive Moyo-Modise 66

10

Laurie Dudfield

SCORERS

BOOKINGS

Doolan 50

Ross 52, Gleeson 81

Stuart Ashworth at Spotland

Rochdale recorded their fourth 1-0 defeat in four games after a poor encounter with Notts County at Spotland.Steve Parkin's injury hit squad failed once again to create the goal scoring opportunities his side are desperately seeking at the moment and whilst the defence is strong, you'll never win a game if you don't score.

The slick, lush surface at Spotland dampened by constant rain provided the zip but sadly nothing much more as both sides cancelled each other out for almost the entire game.

Matt Gilks, making his 150th appearance for the club, continued in fine form with another heroic display in goal keeping the scores level early on when really County should have scored.

Gilks was called into action in the eighth minutes after Nott's County's Mike Edwards bundled he way through after fighting off the attentions of Nathan Stanton.Through one on one with the Dale 'keeper Edwards powered a side footed shot from six-yards that Gilks did well to block.

With nothing on the pitch to inspire them, the Spotland crowd was quiet and when the rare chances were carved out the officials did their best to ensure the dour game continued in the same fashion. With 36 minutes played Rochdale managed to spring the offside trap but as Dagnall scampered towards the ball with Christie for company, the referee Mr. Hill decided to pull the game back for a Rochdale freekick on the halfway line.

The rain stopped for the start of the second half but the misery arrived in another form for Dale, they went behind. With five minutes played John Doolan upended Parkinson with a solid challenge just inside Dale's half.It was a challenge that earned the 32-year-old the first yellow card of the match, but the freekick had more devastating consequences. The ball was lofted into the Rochdale area were a half-cleared ball fell to Alan White and he swept home from eight-yards.

To their credit Steve Parkin's side didn't let the set back affect them and aided by the substitution of Iyseden Christie on the hour began to create more in the way of openings. Sadly that elusive end product was still no were to be seen and chances went begging.

Rochdale almost gifted Notts County their second of the afternoon after Gilks bowled out a loose ball on the left. Jason Lee pounced and raced into the box squaring for Mendes who somehow managed to put the ball wide of the target.

The Dale management introduced younger blood late in the second period but despite the duo of Moyo-Modise and Thompson offering pace in attack the side netting was the only thing they could find.

Gilks again came to the rescue as Dale went in search of that elusive goal right at the end.  With everyone up for an injury time corner the visitors broke with substitute N'Toya busting a gut to get to the other end of the pitch.  With Dale defenders racing to get back N'Toya drove a fierce shot goalwards and Gilks did well to get everything behind it to make the block.

Dale were booed off at the end and Steve Parkin admitted after the game it was something his side fully deserved after a poor first half performance only slightly bettered in the second.

Match Stats

Rochdale

Notts County

ATTEMPTS

8

ATTEMPTS

15

ON TARGET

5

ON TARGET

10

FREEKICKS

15

FREEKICKS

15

CORNERS

6

CORNERS

8

OFFSIDE

2

OFFSIDE

1

YELLOW CARDS

1

YELLOW CARDS

2

RED CARDS

RED CARDS

POSSESSION

42%

POSSESSION

58%

Star Player

Rochdale

Notts County

Nathan Stanton

Jason Lee

Veteran striker still showing his worth at this level.  Always a threat and never stopped looking for the openings.

Managers Comments in Brief

Steve Parkin

Steve Thompson

"That was the worst performance from us this season and I let the players know about it after the game."

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