Dale slipped to 11th in League Two after taking just 1 point from a possible 18 but more importantly, the draw ended a run of 5 straight defeats. Northampton match report for the with player ratings now online.

Thank Christ for that, the run of defeats is finally over! 

The new year started with a draw against high flyers Northampton Town although just like the previous two games, we could have got more from it with a lot of very good chances but it wasn't to be and we settled for a draw.

Grant Holt was back in the starting line-up following his suspension and he replaced "The Difference" Paul Tait.  (Fake Tales of) Neil Brisco was dropped to the bench with Scott Warner coming back into the eleven.  Rory McArdle was also dropped and Jon Boardman returned to the team.  Dale lined up with:  Gilks, Warren G, Goodall, Galli, Boardman, Warner, Jones, Ernie, Lionel Blair, Lambert and Holt.

Game got off to a good, lively start with Northampton forcing Gilks into a save from an early freekick.  The ball was probably going wide anyway but he had to make sure.

Ernie Cooksey was looking desperate for a goal and nearly had three or four in the first half.  His first effort was a superbly executed volley which just missed the target. 

Scotty Warner also tested Harper with a rocket of a shot from the edge of the box but he managed to push it away.

Cooksey had another excellent effort, another volley, this time narrowly clearing the crossbar and shortly after he saw another glorious effort go over the bar which should have seen Rochdale take the lead.

Dale's ever-impressive left back Alan Goodall wasn't frightened of having a pop either and he belted one goalwards but it was straight at the keeper.

Northampton managed a couple of half chances where good crosses went unpunished but overall, the first half belonged to Rochdale who should definitely have been a couple of goals up.

The second half saw Northampton come into the game a bit more but Rochdale were still creating chances.

 Northampton's early pressure paid off and they took the lead just three minutes after the break when Pej Bojic broke clear of the Dale defence and lobbed Gilks despite big claims for offside.  Being stood in the Sandy has it's great points but obviously hindered my view of the offside claim somewhat I have no idea whether it was or not.

Parkin made a change to try and get Dale back in the game and decided that youngster Clive Moyo Modise was the way to go rather than Paul Tait and he came on for a below average Blair Sturrock and immediately caused problems with his pace.  He showed he had quick feet and was comfortable with the ball at his feet and his pace was certainly a surprise to me, he was rapid.

With twenty minutes to go, the big talking point of the game came and it eventually led to the Dale equaliser.  Andy Kirk and Grant Holt both went diving into each other two footed and both could have been sent off and seriously injured.  However, the referee decided that Kirk was the man at fault and dished out a yellow card and a free kick award to Rochdale.  Rickie Lambert swung the freekick in and Josh Low glanced the header past his own keeper to make it 1-1 though I'd be trying to claim it if I was Lambo.

Northampton had a couple of chances to regain the lead but couldn't make the most of them and the game finished 1-1.

Rochdale's next game is against Stockport County and surely we must be able to beat them!

Player Ratings:

Matt Gilks 7 Kicking was good, made a couple of good saves and got a decent review off Jangleberry which means he must have been good!

Warren Goodhind 6 Was caught out a couple of times by a good attacking team but not bad overall

Alan Goodall 7 Good game, got forward well and also defended well again

TONY GALLIMORE 7 The defence looked better on the whole and I think a lot of that must have been down to Gallimore though not as impressive as he has been

Jon Boardman 7 One of his best games for us I thought, did very well

SCOTT WARNER 7 Man of the match for me.  Broke up attacks very well and got stuck in throughout.  Much more influential than Brisco has been

Gary Jones 7 Usual Gary Jones really, worked hard and looked to attack.  Whenever Dale broke from defence, it was him carrying the ball out

Ernie Cooksey 7 Took a hammering at times but had several excellent chances to score and worked very hard

Blair Sturrock 5 Looked off the pace a bit I thought and was rightfully taken off 

Rickie Lambert 7 Should claim the goal and he did well again I thought

Grant Holt 7 Could have been sent off but his touch and control was fantastic.  Certainly a better side with him than without!

Subs:  

Clive Moyo Modise 6 Caused all sorts of problems with his pace.  Good prospect!

Neil Brisco 6 Not on long enough to show what he can or can't do

Photo: Action Images

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