Rochdale managed only their 2nd point of the season today and remain without a win after todays 2-2 draw at home to Cambridge United. Full match report and ratings are now online

Rochdale are still without a win this season after today's game at home to Cambridge finished 2-2 after a good comeback from Dale after going 2-0 down.  Dale were reduced to 10 men in the second half when Chris Shuker was given his marching orders.

Dale started the game with the team that ended the game at Stoke and played very well there as well.  Matt Gilks was in goal, a back four of Wayne Evans, Mike Simpkins, Simon Grand and Daryl Burgess, a midfield of Shuker on the right, Paddy on the left and Sean McClare and Robert Betts in the centre and a front two of Kevin Townson and Paul Connor. 

Rochdale started the game ok but after about 10 minutes Sean McClare was forced to leave the pitch due to a bad facial injury and was replaced by Chris Beech. 

Rochdale had a couple of decent efforts, both coming the way of Patrick McCourt whose first shot went very high and wide and a few minutes later his shot from wide again went straight into the keepers arms.  Dale nearly found themselves in the lead when they hit the post although my limited view from the Sandy prevented me from seeing how!  The WMG certainly thought we had scored.

Rochdale found themselves behind just after the half hour mark when Alex Revell out paced Simpkins and Revell placed his shot perfectly into the far corner leaving Gilks with no chance.

Just 8 minutes later, Cambridge widened the gap as their big ginger (with a hint of red!) striker Dave Kitson put them ahead after he headed home a free kick given away by Simon Grand.

Dale made another change at half time with Patrick McCourt made way for Matt Doughty in what was a predictable substitution as McCourt had been good but lacking in effort at times, although he did get back a few times.

Lee McEvilly became the 3rd substitution for Dale as he came on to add some fire power and attempt to get back in the game but he came on for Kevin Townson which was a decision heavily questioned by the supporters around me.

Chris Shuker was extremely close to scoring after his magnificent turn baffled his marker and his shot was superbly saved by Marshall in the U's goal.

Dale were given an opportunity to get back in the game when Paul Connor was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and Big Evil stepped up to smash it home to make it 2-1.

Dale were reduced to 10 men just a minute or so later when on loan Chris Shuker was given a red card for his late tackle on Justin Walker who certainly made the most of it!

Dale battled very well with 10 men and kept pushing for the equaliser and sure enough it came on 80 minutes courtesy of Paul Connor who managed to get on the end of a goalmouth scramble and back heel it into the corner of the net sending the Dale fans into mass celebrations!

Dale should have sealed the victory near the end when Paul Connor was left with a good chance but Marshall pulled off another excellent save to keep Cambridge in it.

Cambridge then piled the pressure on with the few remaining minutes to go but Dale kept them out luckily to finish the game 2-2.

Ratings:

Matt Gilks 6 Unlucky with the goals but otherwise rarely tested

Wayne Evans 7 Played well, seemed as if he was switched to midfield second half but did well nonetheless

Mike Simpkins 6 Improved but still more improvement needed, much more, still getting tonnes of criticism

Simon Grand 6 Gave away the freekick for their 2nd goal

Daryl Burgess 7 Solid as he has been in the previous games

Chris Shuker 7 His trickery caused problems and very nearly scored in the 2nd half

Patrick McCourt 7 Did well going forward but wasted efforts and a lack of effort at times meant abuse from the fans

Sean McClare 6 Only on 10 minutes or so

Robert Betts 7 Played well, got stuck in and his passes were good, best of the bunch for me

Paul Connor 7 Held the ball up well and got on the scoresheet but should have scored at the end

Kevin Townson 6 Good when on the ball but it didn't really go his way today

Subs:  

Chris Beech 7 Played ok, passed were quite good

Matt Doughty 7 Played well going forward and put a couple of good crosses in

Lee McEvilly 7 Scored the vital penalty and was impressive up front

Photo: Action Images

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