In his after match summary ( subscribers to Daleworld heard it first ) Keith Hill appeared unsure as to whether this was one point gained or two dropped. Fans on both sides of the fence will have their opinions on it but one thing is sure- it is a mark of how far we have come in the almost 2 years of Keith's reign that Dale fans will be disappointed not to have won but still seen their side climb up to 4th in the Coca Cola League 2 table.

In truth the home side were lack lustre in the opening 35 minutes or so with Macclesfields plans to frustrate them working well but with the tempo raised and a deserved lead arriving it looked being a win until a free header gave the visitors an equaliser from their only real opportunity of the game.

The first half is probably best forgotten with chances at a premium.

Macclesfield striker Gareth Evans almost found himself in on goal in the 13th minute but was denied by the onrushing Sam Russell and a minute later veteran striker Simon Yeo saw his snap shot go narrowly wide.

Dales first period openings saw Ciaran Toner have a shot saved , a scramble in the box after Jon Brain had been adjudged to have picked up a back pass and a brilliant reaction save by the keeper as Tom Kennedy's free kick took a defelction off Terry Dunfield.

Obviously geed up at the break Dale came out much brighter in the 2nd half with Lee Thorpe firing over from an angle when he may have been better squaring the ball for Joe Thompson but within a minute and on a quick break Ahmed Deen found himself in on goal for Macclesfield but denied by a wonderful Tom Kennedy tackle.

Scott Wiseman then rampaged down the right but saw Thorpe fire over from his cross before an Adam Rundle cross from the other side fell to Thompson but his effort cannoned off the upright. Toner then shot over before following a terrific Rory McArdle pass Rundle croosed to Dagnall who saw his effort saved.

A deserved lead arrived on 66 minutes as Tom Kennedys left wing corner was flicked on by Dagnall and Rundle bundled the ball home from close range.  

 

With Dale in control you might have felt that the visitors would crumble but after some positive substitutions by manager Keith Alexander they hit back on 81 minutes as giant midfielder Nat Brown capped a very effective performance with an unstoppable header from a deep Izak Reed cross.

The last chance of the game fell to Thorpe again from a difficult angle but Brain denied him by tipping his effort over via the crossbar.

It was frustrating and it wasn't a vintage performance but if people wake up and smell the coffee Dale are 4th in the table having taken 7 points from their last 3 games so it is hardly the end of the world.

Roll on Barnet on Tuesday

Teams
Dale
Russell, Wiseman, McArdle, Stanton, Kennedy, Thompson, Jones (G) Toner, Rundle, Dagnall, Thorpe
Subs Spencer, Holness, Buckley, Le Fondre,Keltie 

Macclesfield Town
Brain, Reid, Hessey, Brisley, Brown ,Deen, Reid, Dunfield, ,Yeo, Evans, Flynn .
Subs : Gritton, Bell,Green,Thomas, Jennings 

Officials
Referee:- Graham Salisbury (Lancashire)
Assistants:- P A Davison and R A Salt
4th Official:- J Whiteley

A gallery of photos by photographer Daniel Youngs will follow on Monday.