Rochdale travelled 3 junctions up the M62 to Huddersfield and they came back with a point and it could have been more. A full match report and player ratings are now online.

Rochdale travelled the short distance over the Pennines and into the land of Arkwright and Granville to take on Huddersfield Town at the McAlpine Stadium.  With Huddersfield aiming for automatic promotion, it was generally felt a point would be a decent achievement and they did just that.  Rochdale managed a 1-1 draw as Leo Bertos fired Dale into the lead in the first half but Huddersfield equalised in the 2nd half thanks to a Lloyd goal and the result and results from our division mean the gap has narrowed at the bottom between ourselves and Macclesfield to 3 points and there is a 3 point gap between ourselves and 21st.

The Dale team was a surprising one with a few changes to the team that drew 0-0 against bury and it was difficult to tell the formation by looking at the team.  The line up included Edwards in net, a defence including Evans, Livesey, Heald and Smith.  A midfield with Bertos, Jones, Flood and Warner with McEvilly and Holt up front.  The bench consisted of Gilks, Griffiths, Doughty, McClare and Townson.

The first chances of the game didn't come until 15 minutes had gone and they fell the way of the home side.  Neil Edwards was forced into a save from the dangerous Jon Worthington and that was followed by Andy Booth heading over the bar from a good corner.

Jon Worthington had another long range effort shortly afterward but Edwards was up to the challenge and made a good save.

Rochdale actually took the lead after 38 minutes.  They had looked quite good going forward but with no end product but there certainly was this time.  Gary Jones fed the ball to on loan midfielder Willo Flood who totally skinned the Huddersfield defence and then gave it to Leo Bertos on the right flank, Leo cut inside and smashed it with his left foot into the bottom right hand corner.  An absolute carbon copy of his goal against Swansea in which we also took the lead and drew 1-1 and gave a battling performance.  This was Leo's 8th goal of the season meaning he is 2nd top scorer to Kevin Townson.  Not bad at all for a right winger!

The most ridiculous booking of the season was given to Dale striker Grant Holt towards the end of the first half.  It had become apparent that Paul Rachubka in the Huddersfield net wasn't the best at kicking when put under pressure and both Evil and Holty spotted this and continuously charged the kicks down.  On a couple of occasions it worked and they intercepted the kicks to a certain extent.  Grant Holt did it once and connected with the ball and Mr Clattenburg took it upon himself to book the big striker for handball!

The half time break came and Dale went in 1-0 up and the reception they received from the 819 Dale fans was fantastic (thanks TVOS for the stat!) 

Unfortunately for Dale, they were forced into making a substitution at the half time break as Danny Livesey came off injured and was replaced by Gareth Griffiths who partnered the very impressive Greg Heald.

After just a couple of minutes of the 2nd half, Huddersfield were level.  A good ball in from Holdsworth was turned in by Anthony Lloyd.  I will admit to thinking this could signal more goals from the home side but luckily it didn't.

They could have had another shortly after when Pawel Abbott forced a great save from Edwards from short range and the rebound was wide of the goal.

Another bit a good skill from Huddersfield allowed Smith to get an effort in, he took the ball down the right and took it past Smith with ease but blasted into the side netting to the relief of the away following.

Rochdale should have taken the lead again after the hour mark when Lee McEvilly met a good Smith corner and headed goalwards and it seemed destined to go in but was cleared off the line just in time.

Grant Holt had a great chance to put Dale 2-1 up as well when he got the better of Efe Sodje who for once wasn't fouling someone.  He then cut inside and had a clear shot on goal but his effort was a poor one and he hit it straight at the keeper.

Rochdale should have won it in stoppage time when Gareth Griffiths got his head on a good corner but his powerful header was saved.

Huddersfield went straight down the other end and the goalscorer Lloyd was sent clear but missed his chance and the game finished 1-1.

All in all, a point is a good result and the performance was a very encouraging one.  Most people went into the game thinking we wouldn't get anything out of the game but once again we showed we can battle with the best of them and produced a good performance and got something out of a very tough game.

The Carlisle game is now absolutely massive!  We must obtain 3 points and Steve Parkin has already looked to strengthen his squad further by bringing in Neil Redfearn from Boston United who will arrive at Dale on Thursday!

Player Ratings:

Neil Edwards 7 Made a couple of decent saves but not too troubled

Wayne Evans 6 Passing was a bit off but not too bad

Shaun Smith 6 His lack of pace is all to viewable but his crossing was good

Danny Livesey 7 Only played for half the game but looked ok in that time

GREG HEALD 8 Very impressive!  Won everything in the air against Booth and looked very good on the whole.  My MOM

Leo Bertos 7 Great goal and worked hard down the right and looked dangerous

Willo Flood 7 Good debut though it took time for him to adapt, set up the goal and looked dangerous and tenacious all the time he was on the pitch

Scott Warner 7 Not too bad at all for me, got some good tackles in and some very good interceptions

Gary Jones 8 Very impressive despite carrying the injury from Saturday, ran his heart out as he always does and his passing was excellent

Lee McEvilly 7 Held the ball up very well but for too long on occasion.  Not too bad in my view

Grant Holt 8 Another very good performance, he did very well against Sodje and should have scored.  He certainly battles doesn't he!!

Subs:  

Gareth Griffiths 7 Did ok and nearly scored the winner at the end

Sean McClare 7 Not on long but passed the ball about very nicely as he always does

Photo: Action Images

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