Rochdale 1 Mansfield Town 0

Dale returned to winning ways with a performance more redolent of last season and it was fitting that the returning Lee McEvilly capped a terrific performance with an excellent goal.

Everywhere that you looked within the side there were good performances. Sam Russell when called on made timely saves, Nathan Stanton showed how much he has been missed at the back, Gary Jones, as ever covered every blade of grass and Kallum Higgibotham terrorised his marks throughout.

In fairness the visitors looked much better than their lowly league position would suggest, especially in the first period and they carved out the games first chance with Rory Boulding seeing his well struck low shot palmed away by Russell after just 2 minutes.

As Dale began to exert some control and McEvilly settled back in the half chances began to be created but it was the visitors who again went closest to breaking the deadlock as Stephen Dawson saw his effort when 1 on 1 with Russell very well kept out.

Just before the break McEvilly created a chance for Jones only for his shot to take a big deflection and be briliiantly saved by veteran keeper Carl Muggleton.

After the break Dale were guilty of missing 2 gilt edged chances as first of all from a great Higginbotham cross Adam Rundle fired over with the goal at his mercy and then from a Jones cross Glenn Murray had the freedom of the penalty area but headed wide from 6 yards.

Murrays last action on 55 minutes saw him clearly upended by the keeper but with referee unsighted his assistant failed to give an obvious penalty.

Would it be an afternoon of frustration? No

On 69 minutes after a good neat build up the ball arrived at McEvilly's feet on the edge of the penalty area and having taken one touch he struck it hard and low with his left foot from 20 yards leaving Muggleton with no chance.

After seeing McEvilly limp off with cramp the home side made late chances at will as John Doolan saw one effort well save and another rattle the woodwork with the rebound hitting Adam Le Fondre and bouncing wide. Then in the last minute a slick move saw Higginbotham denied a well deserved goal by another Muggleton save.

That was so much better.We all know there is much more to come from this side but with another winnable home game next week the league table can start to look a lot better as we appraoch the busy Christmas programme.