Just when you expect Dale to get an absolute tonking, we go and produce one of the best performances in the league for some time, with a fully deserved 3-3 draw with promotion assured Rushden and Diamonds.

I thought last night's performance was the best in the league for a long time. Although we were up against it, this was a battling performance and it brought a deserved ovation at the final whistle.

Great decision by the manager to make Simon Grand captain, and Grandy responded superbly. He was everything a captain should be and was marshalling his defence throughout. 

First half, I thought Rushden (who I thought looked to be the best team we have played this season) looked complacent, and seemed to be of the opinion they could pass the ball into the back of the net. They were full of tricks, and if Onandi Lowe had the work ethic to match his skills, he'd be Division One without any problems.

I got the feeling throughout the first half that we were pretty comfortable. We relied on the big hoof up to Platt a little too often, and Connor was often relying on blind runs with the hope the ball would land right for him.

The goal was a great one by Simpson. He had the whole of their half to himself and I was a little concerned that his aging legs would see him right, but he had no problems. Very cultured finish.

The goal shocked the home side, and they didn't respond to it too well, and we continued to look comfortable. However on the 40 minute mark everything changed.

Rushden came to life and had it not been for Gilks, we could have gone in 3-1 down at half time. The young keeper produced three top class saves. First was a tip over the bar from a long range effort, second saw him produce a stunning touch onto the cross bar before scrambling clear.

The third came from a penalty. Clear penalty as a cross hit the arm of Lee Andrews, but Gilks dived full length to tip the ball away. It was definitely a great save and not a bad penalty.

Second half continued just where the first finished, and Rushden deservedly equalised. Another quality cross came over, and Hall reacted before Matt Doughty did to tip it in at the back post.

But just as Rushden continued where they left off, so did Gilksy with a string of saves as good as he has made for the club. If Neil Edwards thinks that winning his place back will be easy, he can think again. Gilksy prevented the now impressive looking Rushden side rattling up a cricket score, though one of the saves I'm not sure whether he had any say in.

We went 2-1 up when we got a free kick just outside the box. We all expected Simpson to curl it into the top left hand corner, especially with Turley giving him all the room in the world. But the ball hit the wall, two Rushden players hit each other, and Grand chested it down, and span round and drove the ball low into the far corner.

Again Rushden launched a major ground offensive, and Gilks was doing his best to hold them all back. But you can't rely on him forever, and it was hardly a surprise when a clever finish by Onandi Lowe equalised for the home side. And you couldn't really argue when they took the lead a few minutes later.

The funnily enough, Paddy came on and the game changed. Rushden hadn't done their homework, and gave him all the space he wanted. In one such move, he got the ball with no one within ten yards of him. Not that that makes any difference.

He went goalwards, couple of jinks, before letting fly. Now if you're called Paddy McCourt, your shot took a mere deflection before going in. If you're called Paul Connor, McCourt's shot was going wide, and had it not been for your clever touch, we'd have gone home having lost.

All in all a very pleasing point, but even had we lost, it would still have been an impressive display. This was a performance which although still a long way from being close to perfect, and had it not been for Gilks, we could have took a tonking, there were the much needed signs of encouragement, and you couldn't argue with the passion, effort and commitment of the players tonight. We may have had a high goals per shots ratio, but we more than matched a high flying team for long periods, and praise must be given to all for that.

Postives: the decision to give Simon Grand the captaincy, Matt Gilks, 100% more effort than at Exeter at the weekend, passion shown by the players, the impressive Chris Beech.

Negatives: Paddy on the bench, still too much reliance on the long hoof to Clive Platt.

Photo: Action Images

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