Rochdale lost out on 3 points against the Division's league leaders Doncaster Rovers as they drew 1-1 having led until stoppage time. Full match report and player ratings are now online.

Rochdale played host to the league leaders Doncaster Rovers in their re-arranged fixture that could have seen Rochdale go 6 points ahead of Macclesfield who were also in action tonight.

The team news came through while in the Studds bar and it was a different system to Saturday's 4-5-1 formation by going with a straight forward 4-4-2 with Scott Warner, Matt Doughty and Gareth Griffiths missing out tonight and dropping to the bench.  There was a return to the first team for Shaun Smith who sat out the Hull game as he was not allowed to face his former side and Kevin Townson returned to the starting 11 to partner Grant Holt and Danny Livesey returned to replace Gareth Griffiths in defence.  The team was, Edwards in net, Evans at right back, Heald and Livesey at centre back and Smith at left back.  Leo Bertos was on the right wing with Gary Jones and Neil Redfearn in the centre of midfield and Willo Flood was on the left wing.  As previously said, Townson partnered Holt up front.  Matt Gilks, Gareth Griffiths, Matt Doughty, Scott Warner and Lee McEvilly made up the substitutes.

A very nervous start to the game resulted in some end to end action early on but with no real chances coming from it.

Rochdale had the best chance of the half with Kevin Townson being put through 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper following a high ball from Willo Flood that was still bouncing when Kev got his shot away.  It bounced very nicely for him but his effort was hit high when I thought he should have hit it low and the keeper was able to pull of a good save to tip it over.  A wonderful chance not taken.

The game was an entertaining one though the referee Mr Hill did decide that he would try and make himself known with some awful officiating from start to finish with some shocking decisions.

Doncaster did create a couple of chances but were struggling to get past the Dale defence.  Their best chance was stopped well by Neil Edwards after about 20 minutes.

Kevin Townson was working hard but his confidence certainly looked down and it was visible in his efforts on goal, his next one came onto his left foot on the edge of the box and his effort was weak and easily dealt with by Warrington.

Dale went into the half time break at 0-0 having had some decent chances and looking quite good.

The officiating was as bad as the 1st half with the Dale strikers appearing onside but were given offside, the most blatant of them was when Grant Holt and Townson both made runs which Grant Holt got to but the linesman decided to give the offside decision despite Townson being the one who looked offside.

Kevin Townson did himself no favours when he had the best chance of the night Holt gifted Kev a great opportunity following some good work on our left hand side (right if in the WMG) and Townson received the ball on a plate and was left with a simple finish but he miss-kicked it big time and the ball was deflected out for a corner.

After a hard-working but unlucky night for Townson, he was brought off for Lee McEvilly who came on and made a huge difference to the Dale team.  Just 5 minutes after coming on as a substitute, he got his 6th goal of the season with a wonderful header from a good Redfearn cross to send the good home support absolutely wild with delight.  As Dale scored, the tune of Tom Hark was blasting out of the PA system and shortly after, the Sandy Lane fans were singing "Top of the league, you're having a laugh!" to the same tune.

Leo Bertos nearly doubled the lead with a wonderful effort that flew just past the post when I for one thought it was in!

Doncaster did create a couple of chances but none that you would class as great chances.  Most of them fell to Fortune-West before he was taken off where he failed to reach crosses, the same went for a couple of others.

The 90 minute mark came up and 3 additional minutes were shown by the 4th official and most Dale fans must have thought that the luck was with us and we were heading for 3 points, we were wrong!

A freekick was played into the box and Albrighton managed to get on the end of it ahead of everyone else and his effort found it's way past Edwards to make it 1-1 half way through stoppage time.  Robbed again!

We had to make do with a point but to be fair a point was what I would have taken before the game and am not too displeased at the point after the game.  The point takes us above York City who face Macclesfield this weekend and it means we stay 3 points ahead of Macclesfield with us having 42 points.  Lincoln City were held to a draw by Macc tonight and they are the next visitors to Spotland with a huge crowd expected for the game.  A very important game indeed.

Player Ratings:

Neil Edwards 7 Came for crosses brilliantly and was very unlucky with the goal

WAYNE EVANS 8 Great game for Evo tonight, his passing was excellent and he made some awesome interceptions, My Man of the Match

Shaun Smith 7 Some very good passes, a good game I thought for Smith

Greg Heald 7 Won a good few headers though some didn't go where intended but was quite solid overall, I was happy enough with his performance

Danny Livesey 7 Another decent effort from Livesey though some of his clearances didn't go where intended though his tackles were excellent

Leo Bertos 6 Had to deal with McIndoe all night and had a poor first half but he came into the game 2nd half and played better

Willo Flood 7 Battled like hell again chasing everything down and didn't look as knackered as usual

Gary Jones 7 Another good performance from Jonah.  Typical performance where he worked hard all game and looked a very good player

Neil Redfearn 7 A few misplaced passes but still a decent game otherwise with him linking the play well in midfield

Kevin Townson 6 Looked a little out of sorts again and missed a fantastic chance but it's only down to confidence which hopefully will come back to him soon

Grant Holt 8 Excellent again.  He showed tremendous strength and his work rate is fantastic. 

Sub:  

Lee McEvilly 7 Came on as a sub and got the all important opener with a wonderful header.  Promising performance tonight which should result in a start on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

Rochdale Polls