Only two games left now thank god and no more relegation worries as Rochdale are now mathematically safe thanks to a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers. Match report now online.

Well wasn't that a lot better.  I left the ground quite pleased with what I'd just witnessed as Rochdale beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at Spotland on Saturday.  In truth, it should have been a few more as well but for some extremely poor finishing but there were a few positive signs there which is something we've not seen since December.

Parkin named the same team that played against Barnet on Tuesday night.  Gilks was in net, we had a back four of Ramsden, Goodall, Jackson and Griffiths, a midfield of Cartwright on the right, Cooksey out of position on the left with Warner and Jones in the middle.  Lambert and Dagnall started up front.  On the bench were Gallimore, Boardman, Doolan, Kitchen and Sturrock.

The first half was quite poor as a game and it didn't look as though anything had changed really.  There were early chances though.  Griffiths was guilty of not taking advantage of a very good chance from a corner.  He headed straight at the keeper.  Griffiths would later be guilty of the miss of the season.

Rickie Lambert was showing us all just how good he was again and he nearly made Bristol Rovers pay for losing possession.  He won the ball, turned and had a crack which a very impressive Scott Shearer turned round the post.

Bristol Rovers were millimetres from taking the lead as well when Einstein Agogo managed to get a shot away in the Rochdale box while under pressure from Ramsden but his effort rattled the crossbar.  The rebound fell to Richard Walker who blasted high and wide much to the relief of the Dale fans.

With pretty much the last kick of the half though, Rochdale went 1-0 up.  Rickie Lambert went through one on one with Shearer before being upended by Hinton and the referee pointed to the spot.  He also showed a straight red card to Hinton for stopping a goalscoring opportunity.  Lambert stepped up and brilliantly placed the ball into the side netting of the left corner.  Not only did this put Rochdale 1-0 up just before half time but earned me a massive £1 as young Kaminskas decided to bet me £1 he would miss!  Bet he'd made the same bet later on!

Half time came and we were subjected to some bloody awful music as some young girls danced about on the pitch.

The second half was a lot better for Rochdale and as I said in the pub that evening, it was the first game I've enjoyed since the first couple of months of the season.

Rochdale created chances, Dagnall hit a weak effort which Shearer saved after some fantastic work from Man Of The Match Lambert.  He later set Jones up as well but the Chief Badge Kisser couldn't make the most of it.

With 15 minutes to go, Rochdale were awarded another penalty.  Lambert again was the man fouled and he broke through again, tried to take it round Shearer who brought him down.  Shearer got away with a warning when he should have been sent off as well.  Lambert struck the penalty in the same place as before and it was brilliantly saved by Shearer who shouldn't have been on the pitch to save it.

Blair Sturrock came on for Chris Dagnall who had been poor this game in fairness and it gave us a boost up front.  His clever runs were helpful and his intelligent play allowed us to create a fair few more chances.

The substitute himself created a fantastic chance for Ernie Cooksey which he had to score.  He squared it to the Flying Forehead but his first time shot was scuffed wide of the post from about 12 yards.  Definitely should have scored without a doubt.

Blair Sturrock was getting very involved and had a fantastic chance himself after receiving the ball in about 12 yards out and his first time effort was brilliantly saved by Shearer.  Sturrock should have scored but Shearer should be congratulated for a fine save.

Rochdale were guilty of missing chances but these were chances we hadn't been able to create much since December.

Gareth Griffiths was next up to miss.  In truth, Ernie Cooksey is to blame as well because he was 6 yards out with all the goal to aim at and it was an easier chance for Ernie but his confidence was shattered from the earlier miss that he laid it off to Griffiths who had run in and he absolutely skied it over the bar from about 14 yards which left pretty much every Dale fan and player laughing rather than being angry.

With time running out, Rochdale managed to get another goal to finish it off and put any fears I had of Rovers getting a late equaliser to rest.

A corner was swung in by Lambert and nobody picked up Ernie running in at the back post and he nodded the ball past Shearer to make it 2-0 and he was absolutely delighted with it.  You could see the relief on his face because, if I'm honest, he'd been awful all afternoon.

The game finished 2-0 and put Rochdale mathematically safe with 2 games left.

Photo: Action Images

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