Dale returned to league action against Leyton Orient, picking up a very valuable and extremely fortunate 1-0 win, deep into injury time.

It has to be said that today the luck was definitely with us at an overcast Spotland. Dale managed to score deep into injury thanks to that man Paul Connor! Thank god he is back scoring goals for us.

Dale started with the tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation. Lee McEvilly did not claim a place on the bench and was seen sat in the stands. Platt and Townson started up front. Dave Flitcroft was given a start instead of Michael Oliver. Debuts were given to Steve MacAuley, Lee Hodges and Chris Beech.

The game started at a very fast pace, and for the neutrals it must have been a good game to watch at times. Orient were fast on the attack and created lots of chances. Steve Fletcher having the best, through on goal and somehow managing to sky the ball over the bar from all of three yards out.

At the other end of the pitch, Dale were creating very little. The midfield were simply getting over-run. Our only really chance of the half came from a Paul Simpson free-kick that rattled against the up-right and unfortunately stayed out.

Orient had more chances to go ahead in the first half. Goal mouth scrambles happened on a number of occasions, and Dale were very fortunate to get away with not falling behind.

Dale were very unlucky to not be awarded a free-kick and a possible sending off for Orient, as Townson was brought down around the edge of the penalty. The offending player having already been booked. The referee chose to ignore it though.

Dale then went close again, the only chance we created in the first half from open play. Says a lot doesn't it, when we are supposed to have such a creative midfield now. Lee Hodges hitting a shot just wide and over from the edge of the area.

Orient started the second half the brighter, and an early free-kick was well saved by Neil Edwards. Paddy soon came on to replace an out of sorts Lee Hodges, who hadn't had the best of debuts.

Dale started to get more into the game, but the play was disjointed, and the fluid passing we have come to expect was non-existent. Paul Simpson came close when he hit a long range effort that was well saved by the keeper, and he also hit a cheeky volley which just went wide after lobbing the keeper.

Paul Connor then came on to replace Clive Platt, and the record signing had an immediate impact. After just a few minutes he burst through on goal and unleashed a shot that hit the outside of the post.

Just when you thought it wasn't going to be our day though, Connor popped up again in front of goal, to nip in and toe poke the ball past the keeper, off the inside of the post and it rolled into the back of the net, to seal the Dale win.

Today's performance was far from what we expect. At times we got over-run and it just seemed like our side hasn't gelled at all yet. It was the first game of the season, and hopefully things are going to improve.

I think a few things were proven today though. Kev does not have the stamina to start the game. Platt despite his unwillingness to shoot, runs his socks off. You could see in the last 10 minutes that Orient were tiring at the back, surely due to them chasing Platt everywhere. Connor seems to be the only striker we have who knows how to make runs into the box. He needs to start on Tuesday.

Hopefully confidence will be at a high now, after we scraped through today, getting a win when perhaps we just didn't deserve one. Well done to Paul Connor, its been a long time in waiting for that goal, the first of your 40 this season we hope! Up The Dale.

Photo: Action Images

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