The Youth Team played out a goalless draw at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday, despite a good attacking display.
Chris Brown’s side nearly got off to the perfect start when Peter Thomas headed Joao Gouveia’s cross onto the crossbar with just four minutes on the clock.
The visitors then had a chance of their own as Kevin Spinelli’s attempt was well saved by Brad Kelly.
Kelly was called into action once more, this time holding on to Jay McKinlay’s left-footed strike.
The first-half saw very few chances with both teams cancelling each other out, and the score remained level at the interval.
At the start of the second period Dale almost got the breakthrough. Thomas found Joe Wright on the left, whose mishit shot allowed Liam Isherwood to collect in the Stanley goal.
Gouveia then threatened down the left, this time sending in a peach of a cross which Thomas couldn’t quite get on the end of.
Ben Kershaw was close to opening the scoring when his free-kick, which was destined for the bottom corner, was expertly tipped behind by the Accrington ‘keeper.
The Dale midfielder went close from a free-kick once more, but this time his deft clip towards goal bounced down off the bar, before the ball was cleared to safety.
The away side almost snatched all three points at the death when Luke Stowe sprung the offside trap, but Kelly did well to thwart him.
Neither side could find that all important goal and the points were shared.
Dale XI | Kelly, Chorlton, Nock, Pye, Gouveia, Kershaw, Clarkson, Mialkowski, Scanlon, Thomas, Wright.
Subs | Craven, Kinsella, D’Souza, Cullen, Jesus, Caldwell, Lee.