In an exciting game at Spotland, ten men Dale came close to beating Cheltenham after Neil Brisco was rightfully sent off in the first half but had to settle for a point in a game full of chances for both sides. Full report and ratings now online

This was a game which could have gone either way. On a wet Spotland pitch, though thankfully not as wet as it was at Macclesfield, Dale did their best to do what we do best, and win with ten men, and we came so, so close to doing so, but ultimately it was not to be.

It was a smallish crowd at Spotland, with just over 2,300 turning up in the same weather than had put paid to most of the day's test match with not many making the journey up from Gloucestershire to cheer on the Robins.

The first half was a scrappy affair. Cheltenham clearly weren't as effective as Wycombe were the other night, and he had a lot more of the play, but we couldn't claim to be dominating, and we did give them more than a glimour of hope at the other end. Heydeejay had a chance or two which had the home supporters laughing rather than worrying, but it was Rickie Lambert who almost brought the house down.

From what seemed to be from about the centre circle, he turned and shot a volley towards the top corner which gave the Cheltenham keeper no chance at all. It came within a whisker of putting Dale in front and would have won the goal of the season there and then, but it just scraped the wrong side of the post. He wasn't going to miss the top corner again.

The big talking point in the first half was the sending off of Neil Brisco. It was one of those challenges which gave the referee no option whatsoever. It was late and with a raised foot and nobody who witnessed it could have argued against it. The short term ramifications of the sending off was that we had to played for over an hour of the game with just ten men. Long term, you have to think that "last year's forgotten man" has blown his fresh chance in the first team.

So with ten men, Dale regrouped briefly with Cartwright going central, and Holty dropping to right midfield, but it was something that we never looked comfortable with, and the visitors took full advantage.

The goal came through Cheltenham's most dangerous player JJ Melligan (so good, he plays for Cheltenham). Moving down the right, his shot was parried by Dale keeper Matt Gilks. The spill landed at the feet of Damien Spencer who had the freedom of Spotland to put the ball in the vacant net.

Whatever was said at half time worked, because the Dale side which came out in the second half were a very different beast to the one which appeared in the first. In terms of personnel, the only change was the introduction of Ernie Cooksey for his first appearance of the season, replacing the man named as Tommy Jacuzzi in the matchday programme.

This was the Dale that we all know and love, and everything clicked into place. Goodall was magnificent down the wing, Holty was causing the same sort of problems he does in every single game, and Gary Jones was the Gary Jones that makes him team captain.

Jonah ran the show, and at no point did it ever seem that we had one player less - if anything we looked to have more players than the visitors as we were totally in control. There was none of the long ball that has blighted out first two games. This was football on the floor, neat simple passing and getting the ball and running with it.

It was a comeback that Cheltenham never expected and they never really recovered from the shock of what we chucked at them.

We could have equalised on a couple of occasions but when we did it was worth the wait. We were rightfully awarded a free kick just outside the box at the Sandy Lane end of the ground. Enter Rickie Lambert.

Now we've seen Lambert score free kicks before so we know he is always going to be a threat, but this free kick was about as good a free kick as you will ever see. As he looked at it, he placed the ball in the top left hand corner of the goal to equalise.

Such was the precision of the free kick that not a keeper in the land could have saved it. Higgs knew where the ball was going to end up before it was taken but he just couldn't get anywhere near it. The ball could not have been any more in the top corner. An inch higher or wider and it would have hit the woodwork. Sublime.

And from that point on, it looked like the three points were there for the taking. We continued to play with confidence, knocking the ball around well, with once again Gary Jones running the show.

But as we pushed and pushed, gaps did start to appear at the back and Cheltenham had some chances that they'll be kicking themselves for not finishing off. It was clear as we piled forward that legs were getting tired after the second half effort, and when Alan Goodall was replaced by Paul Tait, he did well managing to walk off the pitch.

But there were three gloriously late chances for ourselves. The first saw sub Blair Sturrock produce a bit of magic down the left, suddenly finding himself inside the box leaving defenders in his wake, but he chose to shoot be fired wide with an effort he'll be disappointed with.

Another saw a cross from the right hand side with Grant Holt ghosting in at the back post, but his touch saw the ball go agonisingly wide and myself howling on the terrace.

And the last one saw Holty drag the ball back from the byline but a Cheltenham hand prevented the cross but the referee must have been unsighted as a penalty was the only option.

We could have lost in the final second following a Cheltenham corner nearly got pushed in at the back post, but a brave challenge from Boardman ensured a share of the spoils.

Match ratings c/o 4DAdmin

Gilks : 7 : Another consistent performance from Gilks. His kicking at times was excellent. Not the best but not the worst from Sgt. Gilko.

Goodall : 8 : Brilliant showing by the number 12. Covered every blade of grass down the left, and we look a much stronger team with him playing...both defensively and attacking.

Gallimore : 7 : Decent performance from Galli. I prefer him at left back, but he is an adauqate replacement for Griff in the middle.

Boardman : 8 : Brilliant display from Boardman. Gets better with every ball he kicks. Not much got past him today, well controlled with some excellent tackles. Signing of the Summer so far!

Clarke : 7 : Decent performance from him at right-back. Distribution not as good today, but still definately some good passing. Sometimes caught out of position in his new berth, but he will get better as time goes on!

Tommy J : 7 : Decent performance once again from the mad, insane guy! He just needs to concentrate slightly more on attack, and have more faith in the left back playing behind him.

Brisco : 6 : Playing well until a wreckless and stupid tackle. Will struggle to get back into the team now Cooksey is back. Definately a red card.

Jones : 9 : MOM! The drive, the hunger, the man-management. All there from Mr Jones. What he sometimes lacks in skill, he gains in drive. Both were tied up together. Amazing display from the captain!

Cartwright : 6.5 : I felt 6 was a bit harsh on him after he provided me with comedy value, falling over nearly every time he kicked the ball. On showings so far, not good enough for first team.

Lambert : 7 : Decent display from Rickie. Forging a great partnership with Holt, and yet another top-class top-corner free-kick.

Holt : 8 : Worked his backside off today! Played upfront, left wing and left back. A great player and a great performance. Unlucky not to have scored on a couple of occasions! And no yellow card!

--------------------Subs--------------------

Cooksey : 8 : Looked back to his old self when he came on. Winning headers, decent passing, and not afraid to shirk a challenge! Definately going to keep Mr Brisco out of the side!

Sturrock : 7 : Looked lively when he came on, linked up especially well with Goodall and Jones. Once again, unlucky not to have scored.

Tait : 5 : Not on long enough to make an impact.

Photo: Action Images

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