Rochdale came from behind to claim a deserved three points from Tuesday night’s League One encounter at Notts County’s Meadow Lane.
Garry Thompson had opened the scoring on the half hour mark, but the home-side’s lead lasted just five minutes as Ian Henderson levelled the scoring. Peter Vincenti’s 54th minute goal ensured victory for Dale.
There was one change to the eleven that lined up against Fleetwood Town at the weekend as Stephen Dawson started ahead of Joe Bunney, who was named on the bench.
Notts County started the game with an urgency, applying pressure on the Dale defence from kick-off.
Despite their early threat, they were unable to force a save from Jamie Jones and their most notable effort came with five minutes on the clock when an Ashley Eastham pass was cut out by Paddy McCourt. The former Dale player travelled through on goal before attempting to chip the ‘keeper. His effort cleared the bar, however.
The home side’s early pressure was short-lived and Dale went on to enjoy a spell on top after settling into the game, during which Ian Henderson came close with an effort from a Tom Kennedy cross. Hendo found space in an excellent position and gave himself time to cushion an effort goal-wards, but he was unable to find the target.
The game opened up, with the match producing an entertaining encounter, although it was Dale who had the better of the opportunities.
On 20 minutes Andy Cannon fired an effort across goal and narrowly wide of the upright. The shot drew gasps from the visiting fans as flew just past the post.
And moments later Dale came close again, this time through Henderson. Hendo, who was running into the area at pace, got on the end of a Rose ball into the 18-yard box and curled an audacious effort with the outside of his right boot just inches wide of the target.
Straight up the other end and Jones was called into action to deny McCourt, who had weaved his way into the area, before sending an effort goal-wards.
Dale were getting a foot-hold on the game as they continued to employ some excellent build up play and created opportunities, but were dealt a blow on the half hour mark when Garry Thompson headed the home-side into the lead after powering a header beyond Jones from the back post.
GOAL: NOTTS COUNTY 1-0 Rochdale (Thompson, 30 mins)
Dale were back level just five minutes later, though, as Henderson netted his seventeenth goal of the season.
Hayden Hollis had failed to clear a Cannon ball over the top properly and Henderson capitalised, rounding Carroll and finishing excellently.
GOAL: Notts County 1-1 ROCHDALE (Henderson, 35 mins)
Sixty seconds after the goal, Dale came close again. Hendo fired into the side netting after getting on the end of a Kennedy cross.
In the 41st minute Garry Thompson should have done better as he was presented with an opportunity in a very dangerous position. Despite being unmarked at the post, the forward fluffed his shot, sending the ball of target.
And in stoppage time Jones got down low to smother an effort from Elliot Whitehouse.
HT: NOTTS COUNTY 1-1 ROCHDALE
After the break, the home-side started much as they had in the first half but Dale looked comfortable as they defended resolutely, while playing the better football. So much so that discontent grew amongst the home supporters.
The most notable chance for the Magpies during the opening exchanges after the interval was in the 52nd minute when Jones denied Garry Thompson, who was through one on one with the ‘keeper. The ball spun in the direction of Leroy Lita, who was waiting in front of an unguarded net, but he was unable to make connection as Eastham tracked back to clear the danger with a timely and important clearance.
Rochdale survived the scare and two minutes later deservedly took the lead.
Henderson was firstly denied by the woodwork, as his effort came crashing back off the post. Peter Vincenti made no mistake in hitting the re-bound beyond Carroll.
GOAL: Notts County 1-2 ROCHDALE (Vincenti, 54 mins)
Rose came close to adding a third for Rochdale before the game was out as his powerful free-kick, which had left Carroll rooted to the spot in the 73rd minute, went narrowly wide of the upright.
Eight minutes from time, Jones pulled off a brilliant diving save to deny Adams, who fired a volley goal-wards. The outstretching ‘keeper pushed the effort behind at his near post.
There was no repeat of the drama seen during stoppage time at Spotland in December as Rochdale claimed all three points.
FT: NOTTS COUNTY 1-2 ROCHDALE