Manager Brian Barry-Murphy reflects on Dale’s 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra…
Matty Done netted deep in stoppage time to grab a last-gasp stoppage time equaliser against the Railwaymen. It was the least Dale deserved, after the hosts had taken the lead from a controversial spot-kick on 90 minutes. Conor Shaughnessy picked up a loose ball and thread it through to Done, who poked beyond Will Jaaskelainen from close range in the 97th minute to claim a point at the Alexandra Stadium.
“I thought we played very well and controlled for long periods,” said the Boss.
“We probably should have been in front by half-time but we weren’t. The longer the second half went on, the more frustrating it got for us. A lot of time went out of the game, there was a lot of stoppages and it became very fractured. The referee didn’t manage that so it became a bit frustrating but the lads kept going right until the end and it was immensely satisfying to see us get that equaliser.”
BBM was unhappy with the performance of the referee.
“We had a penalty given against us in the corresponding fixture by the same referee which wasn’t a penalty - that was overturned but this one wasn’t overturned. I think Andy is a very good guy but I thought his performance was hopeless, it was really poor.
“The management of the game, the accumulation of fouls by the opposition in the first half was huge. I think the theory that they’re not serious enough fouls to warrant a yellow card just means it’s tactical and it means they can keep doing it. I thought he didn’t manage the game and it was very poor, and, as such, contributed to the nature of the game which became very bitty in the second half.”
Saturday’s result keeps Dale’s season alive and it means that the fight to avoid relegation will go right to the wire, with the side still mathematically within touching distance of AFC Wimbledon and Wigan Athletic who occupy the two spots outside of the bottom four.
“It leaves it [our season] in perfect Rochdale style - it will never be straightforward. It’s hugely satisfying for us to see us go right until the end. Our only commitment can be that we’ll keep going right until the last whistle of the season, and the players will.
“I saw the players’ response to the penalty that wasn’t a penalty - their player clearly dived - and our lads responded brilliantly. They got on the front foot and we created chances after that. The skill to produce the last moment from Conor Shaughnessy and the finish from Matt Done was something to be very proud of.”
Paul McShane was forced off through injury in the second half and BBM is hopeful that it isn’t anything too serious.
“In the second half, quite a few of our lads looked as if they were having some issues and Paul was one of those that we had to bring off because of that. There were a few others who could have come off but we were desperately trying to chase the game once we went behind. It doesn’t seem to be anything major and I think he’s got a great chance of being fit for Tuesday night but at this point I can’t be certain.”
Watch the Boss’ post-match interview in full on iFollow Dale.