Rochdale

1

Shrewsbury Town

1

13

Matt Gilks

22

Joe Hart

2

Wayne Evans

2

Andy Wilkinson

3

Tony Gallimore

3

Trevor Challis

5

Gareth Griffiths

4

Jamie Tolley 41

16

Greg Heald

5

Darren Tinson

11

Gary Jones

7

Mike Sheron

4

Ernie Cooksey

9

Luke Rogers

12

Alan Goodall 80

10

Neil Ashton 90

14

Marc Richards

16

Gavin Cowan

17

Rickie Lmbert

19

David Edwards 69

7

Leo Bertos 84

28

Kelvin Langmead

Substitutes

1

Neil Edwards

1

Scott Howie

29

Scott Warner

11

Sam Aiston

18

Jamie Clarke 84

12

Martin O'Connor 41

8

Neil Brisco

14

Stuart Whitehead 69

23

Leighton McGivern 80

21

Kevin Street 90

GOALSCORERS

Lambert 40

Sheron 6

BOOKINGS

Stuart Ashworth at Spotland

No lack of effort, no lack of chances, but sadly a lack of points has put to bed a season extension for Steve Parkin's men as they drew with Shrewsbury at Spotland

Just one change for Steve Parkin's side with Paul Tait unavailable as he recovers from his gashed head and he was replaced by Marc Richards.

Shrewsbury started the better of the two sides and it wasn't long before they got the breakthrough. A fifth minute penalty by Mike Sheron put the visitors in front after the pace of Luke Rodgers caused problems for Heald who brought the diminutive striker down just inside the box.

A response from Rochdale was needed and they did put the visitors under a bit of pressure through a decent spell, but poor play inside the final third never produced a moment for keeper Joe Hart.

Dale fans looked for a penalty of their own with 16 minutes played, but Hart's challenge on Bertos was deemed to be fair as the Kiwi crashed over the advancing keeper.

A minute later Rodgers looked liked he was going to nip in and double the visitors lead after a neat ball by Tolley.  The Dale keeper  raced off his line and his sudden appearence put off the striker and Rogers scuffed his effort wide. 

Rochdale continued to push for the equaliser and former Stockport man Rickie Lambert nipped in before the 'keeper from a Bertos cross and was unlucky to see his header come off the shoulder of the keeper and cleared.

Leo Bertos tried his luck moments later with a shot from edge of the box after more good play, but it was the pigeons in the roof of the WMG Stand that were troubled more than the visiting 'keeper after another promising build up.

Rochdale almost levelled matters after Ernie Cooksey fired in a solid header from a Bertos cross on edge of box on 28 minutes, the ball just passing the far post with Hart rooted.

The referee Mr Kaye lost his nerve in many eyes when Jamie Tolley dragged Ernie Cooksey to the ground on the half hour.  Following reaction from both players he took the easy option and booked both, but Tolley was wound up from the first whistle and was very lucky to have escaped with a telling off after an earlier crude challenge on Bertos.

The pursuit from Dale was relentless and a Rickie Lambert corner on 32 minutes went close to finding the back of the net after Gareth Griffithsmet it with a firm header and he was unlucky to see his effort just clear the bar.

With Gary Peters preparing to take off the totally wound up Jamie Tolley with five minutes to break, Rickie Lambert picked up the ball 30-yards out and fired a rocket of a shot passed the Shrewsbury 'keeper and into the back of the net.

Dale started the half with a good claim for a penalty after Alan Goddall was clipped from behind inside the box, but his honesty proved his downfall as tried to get his shot off despite the challenge.

A minute later Rickie Lambert almost doubled his and Dale's tally with a screamer from 20-yards that just cleared the bar with Hart beaten.

Lambert was lively following the break and another good move by Dale resulted in Lambert stealing inside the box and firing a half volley that was saved by the 17-year-old 'keeper.

This game was fast becoming the Rickie Lambert show and he should have put his side into the lead just before the hour mark after he latched onto a neat pass but he seemed to be caught in two minds and shanked the ball.

Richards almost squeezed the ball home after he picked up a flicked on Gallimore ball.  Richards nudged the ball across the 'keeper from the angle, but Hart got a shin to the ball and it spun wide.

With 65 minutes gone a good run and cross from the left by Alan Goodall almost found the diving head of Marc Richards, and perhaps if he hadn't have had his head shaved he'd have scored.

With 73 minutes played Marc Richards failed to make use of a perfect chance after being put through, but one-on-one with Hart he managed to find the 'keepers face with the ball.

Two minutes later Dale went close again this time a good move  across the park found Bertos and he fired a low shot that beat everyone including the far post.

With eight minutes to go a mistake by Gareth Griffiths almost let in Luke Rodgers after he misjudged the flight of the ball.  Rodgers raced onto the ball and shot low was well saved by Gilks.

Inside stoppage time Cooksey looked for the goal Dale needed with a low shot after a return ball from Richards, but his effort was saved easy at his feet by the 'keeper.

That was it for Dale as far as the game went and Dale's hopes of an extended season ebbed away a little further.

Match Stats

Rochdale

Shrewsbury Town

GOAL ATTEMPTS

7

ON TARGET

17

ON TARGET

5

FREEKICKS

14

FREEKICKS

8

CORNERS

CORNERS

5

OFFSIDE

1

OFFSIDE

0

YELLOW CARDS

2

YELLOW CARDS

1

RED CARDS

0

RED CARDS

POSSESSION

51%

POSSESSION

49%

Star Player

Rochdale

Shrewsbury Town

Rickie Lambert

Neil Ashton

Good solid showing sadly departed the game after acting as a landing mat for Rickie Lambert.

Managers Comments in Brief

Steve Parkin

Gary Peters

"I'm disappointed we didn't win, but the lads out in 100% effort and that's all I ask."

"That result means we are safe now, there is no way that we can be caught."

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