Rochdale scored three second-half goals in a six goal thriller to stage a brilliant come-back against Peterborough United on Saturday, ultimately securing a point, after the Posh netted in stoppage time to ensure a share of the spoils at the Crown Oil Arena.
Siriki Dembele put the visitors ahead after five minutes with a fine strike, before Sammy Szmodics doubled their advantage in stoppage time at the end of the half, arguably against the run of play.
Dale got a goal back through Stephen Humphrys, who converted from the spot 10 minutes into the second half, and Jake Beesley put the side on level terms with three minutes left to play. Rochdale were on the ascendancy and Jimmy Keohane netted on 90 minutes to put Dale ahead with a goal that what was hoped would be a winner against the promotion chasing Peterborough.
However, the Posh were awarded a penalty in stoppage time and Jonson Clarke-Harrison secured a point for his side.
There was one change to the side that lined-up against Lincoln City last weekend, as Beesley returned from injury to replace Ryan McLaughlin in the starting eleven. McLaughlin missed out due a slight niggle from training on Friday.
The visitors opened the scoring on five minutes with a stunning goal, after Dembele found the to top corner with a strike from 25-yards.
He then hit a snap shot over the bar, from the same distance, four minutes later.
Despite the early set-back Rochdale dominated for a large spell, carving out several opportunities.
After breaking up the left, Matty Done sent a ball into the area and Conor Grant struck narrowly wide of the upright.
Conor Shaughnessy then curled an effort round the round the post, before Ollie Rathbone had an effort for range held.
Shortly before the half hour mark, Humphrys came within inches of scoring a goal of the season contender. Shaughnessy sent a well-weighted pass out to Beesley, who in turn found Keohane. He put a first-time ball into the box, where the Dale forward met it with an acrobatic scissor kick, sending it narrowly wide of the post.
Two minutes later and Gabriel Osho was in on goal. The on loan defender read a Posh pass, intercepting it superbly well before going a rampaging run to the edge of the area, where he got his shot away, stinging the palms of Christy Pym.
With six minutes of the half remaining Humphrys lost a couple of men and turned just inside the area, striking past the post.
Dale had been in top, but in stoppage time Peterborough extended their lead. Szmodics got on to a ball in the area and found the bottom corner.
HT | ROCHDALE 0-2 PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Rochdale started the second half brightly, in the manner they had played much of the first period, and they halved deficit 10 minutes after the break from the penalty spot.
Before that Rathbone, sent a dipping effort over the bar from 25-yards, while Humphrys sent a fierce strike over, after bursting into the box.
Shortly before the goal, Dale had a penalty claim turned away, after Shaughnessy went down under a challenge, but just three minutes later, they were awarded a spot-kick, after Beesley was upended this time.
Humphrys sent Pym the wrong way, coolly finding the bottom corner from 12-yards, to put Rochdale right back in it, early in the first half.
Soon after the hour, the Rochdale forward picked up and injury and was unable to continue, being replaced by Kwadwo Baah.
In the 69th minute, Gavin Bazunu pulled off a superb save to deny Dembele. After the Post striker fired an effort at goal, aimed for the top corner, the Dale ‘keeper reacted quickly to turn the ball behind.
But the remainder of the second half very much belonged to Rochdale and they went on to score two goals to come from behind.
Beesley equalised with three minutes left to play following a prolonged spell of pressure. Done clipped the ball into the area and he rose highest to send a header into the top corner.
Dale weren’t finished there, though, and still they came forward. Substitute Aaron Morley, who had replaced Grant in the 83rd minute, sent a ball to the back post for Keohane who initially headed it back across the area. He was in the right place at the right time as it again dropped kindly for him and he volleyed home from close range.
It looked like Rochdale had secured a well-deserved three points until the visitors were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Clarke-Harrison stepped up to take the spot-kick and he secured a point for his side.
FT | ROCHDALE 3-3 PETERBOROUGH UNITED