Well Dale did their usual trick of blowing it when the people of Rochdale turn out. A crowd of over three thousand turned up to see what all the top of the league fuss was about, and Dale slipped up. Perhaps this was a little unfair on Exeter who were a well organised side who defended well, and looked dangerous when attacking, especially as Dale pressed forward in search of goals late in the game.

Dale had a warning sign very early in the game as the visitors soon piled on the pressure. Exeter had a great chance to open the scoring after only a couple of minutes. A decent bit of passing led to a cross into the six yard box, and the ball landed at the feet of a forward in acres of space, though his shot could only hit the underside of the bar, when it looked easier to score than miss.

As the half went on, Dale got more into the game, and found themselves very much on top after twenty minutes or so. At one time it looked like it would just be a matter of time before we took the lead. The post was hit twice, and the Exeter keeper Naylor pulled off a cracking saves to prevent Dale taking the lead.

What was seen by many to be the crucial part of the game came just before half time when loan player Clive Platt landed badly on the floor, and he never returned for the second half and was replaced by Andy Morris. After this, Dale never really looked in control.

After the break, Dale struggled to break down the Exeter defence who defended in numbers, and attacked on the break. With Platt's absence, Dale lost some of the mobility that they have previously shown this season. Still, it was not all gloom and doom, as we still managed to hit the post again, and the substitute keeper pulled off a super save to push the ball around the post. We also had a goal disallowed for offside, when Morris cleverly edged the ball past the keeper.

With little over a quarter of an hour to go, the unthinkable happened as just when Dale were starting to press, Exeter got their first goal when Gayle headed home. Within a couple of minutes, disaster struck, when an Edwards clearance kick hit Speakman and rebounded into the back of the net to send the small away following into raptures.

The last few minutes saw Dale try and get back into the match, but to no avail. A few corners were won, but nothing really came as a result of them. The Exeter defence stood resolute throughout, even when Keith Hill played up front for the closing minutes.

The biggest problem for Dale today was the midfield, which has been Dale's best aspect so far this season. They never really took a hold of the game, as they have up until now this season. Dave Flitcroft was very much missed. His replacement Gary Jones did okay, but he never really provided the protection for Jason Peake who had too much to do himself. Graeme Atkinson found himself dragged into the middle too often, and Tony Ford looked jaded.
Dave Bayliss was probably Dale's best player for much of the game, as he again looked outstanding at the back.

Dale: Edwards, Evans, Stokes, Bayliss, Hill, Ford (Carden), Jones, Peake, Atkinson, Platt (Morris), Lancashire.
 

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