Rochdale 1 Morecambe 0

Rene Howe's 66th minute goal settled a totally one sided game and confirmed his sides place in the end of season Play off's. With other results also going their way it also means that Dale can head to Gigg Lane next weekend still very much in the hunt for the 3rd automatic promotion spot. 

Right from the off though understandly looking jaded ,and not aided by a swirling wind, Dale bossed proceeeding against a Morecambe side who came to Spotland looking to do more than spoil. Though chances weren't plentiful they were all created by the home side with Scott Davies the Shrimps keeper called on to make saves time after time.

Davies did well to deny Dave Perkins on 11 minutes, better to keep out Adam Rundle on 14 and then made 2 great saves in a 22nd minute scramble that ended with Gary Jones' goal bound effort being cleared off the line by McStay.

At the start of the second period Perkins Rundle and Kallum Higginbotham were all narrowly off target and Howe shot straight at Davies before the on loan hit man finally broke the deadlock. The vistors failed to clear their lines from a corner and when the ball was returned into the box Howe's drive had to much power for defender McStay and the ball squirmed through him and into the net.

Perkins nearly scored a goal of the season winner with a 65 yard run and shot, Jones shot over from distance and Perkins forced another save out of Davies before substitute Ben Muirhead raced away in time added on only to see his effort kept out by the young keeper.

It wasn't pretty but who cares?

Play Off's assured. What price automatic?

If you aren't going to Gigg Lane ,why?

Photos from DY Sporting will follow tomorrow

Dale
Lee, Holness, Kennedy, Stanton, McArdle, Higginbotham, Perkins, Jones, Rundle, Le Fondre, Howe.
Subs
Button, Dagnall, Muirhead, Montrose, D'Laryea.

Morecambe
Davies, Yates, Bentley,McStay, Adams, Baker,Stanley, Hunter, Curtis, Allen, Blinkhorn
Subs
Jalal, Lloyd, Artell, Newby, Burns,

Officials
Referee Mr J Moss
Asssts  R T Hewitt and R J Madley
4th official C N Harwood