Rochdale secured a point on the road on Saturday, following a goalless draw with Oldham Athletic at a blustery Boundary Park.
There were three changes to the side that lined-up against Bradford City last weekend. Corey O’Keeffe who joined the club on a permanent basis on Friday went straight into the eleven, as did debutant Tahvon Campbell, who pen to paper on Thursday. Max Clark made his full debut, coming in for Aidy White, in a game that was played out in windy conditions.
There was a relatively quiet opening period on the pitch, but off the pitch, the game as marred by a medical emergency in the stands. The match was suspended for around 20 minutes to allow the supporter to receive treatment, and thankfully he left the ground conscious and was taken to hospital. Everyone at Rochdale Football Club sends their well wishes to the fan and hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery.
The game never really got going when it resumed after the long lay-off, and neither goalkeeper was forced into making any save of note during the scrappy encounter.
There was a great block from Paul Downing, as he slid across to stop Sam Hart’s powerful shot at source. The Dale defender then, at the other end, nodded wide of the target while under pressure.
Before the half was out, Max Clark saw his initial cross defended away, and as it came back out towards him, he rifled a shot over the bar.
And the teams went in level at the break.
Rochdale started the second half at pace and took the game to Latics.
There was a chance two minutes after the restart - Clark poked narrowly wide from O’Keeffe’s cross to the back post.
Oldham were also forced to deal with a number of corners, which they did resolutely.
The closest Dale came to opening the scorning was on the hour, when Downing headed wide of the upright from Alex Newby’s free-kick.
There was then great work by Stephen Dooley to find Conor Grant inside the area, who in turned sent a low, dangerous ball across the face off goal. O’Keeffe came sliding in but couldn’t get the decisive touch and the chance was gone.
A moment later, Grant hit a volley high over the bar.
The Latics had a rare sight on goal in the 78th minute when they hit Rochdale on the break, and Dylan Bahamboula headed narrowly wide from a cross in from the right.
Hart then struck wide from range.
Dale’s first and only substitution of the match followed with 81 minutes on the clock, with Abraham Odoh replacing Newby.
Deep in stoppage, Christopher Missilou fired across goal from a tight angle and narrowly wide.
Ultimately, neither team could break the deadlock, in a game where clear cut opportunties were at a premium, and the points were shared at Boundary Park.