Dale stormed back to second following our excellent 2-0 win away at Bristol Rovers. In our first game without Judas in charge, the boys did us proud.

It has been a strange week for Dale really. There was much confusion over whether or not Parkin was on his way or not, even up to yesterday, until the rumours were confirmed and Judas had left us in the lurch. Ford had disappeared with him as well, and many fans thought today we would be in for a hiding at Bristol.

The boys though pulled together for the club, and they did not let us down. Hamilton, Hoyland, Thorpe and the rest of the back room staff need to be given so much credit, not only for keeping things together, but for keeping the players heads up, after the events of the past week.

The Dale team saw the return of Keiron Durkan, this time on the right, after Ford's position had been vacated. Doughty was on the left. Townson once again started, showing that the new management set-up do indeed have faith in our young scouse hitman.

Dale pretty much dominated the early proceedings, but there was not many goal opportunities. We won a lot of corners but didn't really produce many real efforts. At the other end Bristol had a free kick which was spilled out by Hahnemann, but that was pretty much it for them.

The second half was a livelier affair, with both teams sensing a victory. Things could of been so different if Rovers had scored what seemed like a certain goal when through on goal, but they were denied by a pretty simple save by big Marcus.

Rovers were made to pay for this miss, and not soon later Dale took the lead. Matt Doughty stormed down the wing in front of the Dale fans, before producing a lovely cross to the near post which was dipping over the keeper. He flapped at it and it fell to Platt who headed home from six yards out with the keeper stranded.

Rovers then had Astafjevs sent off on 57th minutes. He burst into the Dale box, before taking the most ridiculous dive in an attempt to win a penalty. The referee saw this blatant act of cheating and rightly gave him a second yellow card, much to the anger of the home fans. If they can complain so much about a decision like this, god knows what they would do if they had refs as bad as we have had this season.

Dale soon extended their league and sealed the three points. And what a goal it was. Clive Platt broke down the wing before producing an inch perfect pass to Gary Jones who was storming through the middle of the pitch. Jonah controlled it and hit a stunning volley from fully 25 yards straight into the top corner, to send the Dale fans wild.

From then on it was pretty much a case of 'hold on to what you've got' for Dale, and in truth Bristol never really came close to pulling a goal back, and if anything Dale could of extended their lead further through Townson who was unlucky not to score when through, but he made Howie make a good save in the Rovers net.

All credit tonight must rest with the players and back room staff, who have picked the club up after such a distressing week. The players showed today that they are in this for the club, and not for Judas and his mate. There is life after Parkin. We will march on. Up The Dale

Photo: Action Images

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