In the build up to the trip to Valley Parade Rochdale manager Keith Hill stated the need for a return to basics after 3 straight defeats and he got just that from his team as they rediscovered the no fear "up and at em" mentality  that has been the hallmark of his reign.

The manager made changes to the side and it's set up and they worked as treat. James Spencer was recalled in goal,Ben Muirhead was given a suprise return, Adam Rundle was returned to his more natural side and crucially Dave Perkins who stole the show was back in his favoured midfield role. The visitors controlled great swathes of the game and the only suprise, and slight concern, was that it took them until deep into time added on to actually win. When it came though the winning goal was well worth waiting for a substitute Adam Le Fondre curled in a gem to send the vociferous travelling fans back over the Pennines in happy mood.

Bradford actually made the brighter start with Chilean Willy Topp involved in some clever moves but Spencer showed confident handling on a couple of occasions to snuff out any apparent danger.

It didnt take long for Rochdale to take control and after Rundle and perkins had both gone close to opening the scoring they did break the deadlock but with no little help from their hosts. Perkins had appeared to overhot his pass into the box but a mix up with his keeper Scott Loach meant that defender Matthew Clarke poked the ball into his own net.

Time and again Dale caused consternation in the home ranks and on 26 minutes Rene Howe burst onto a Rundle pass and might have gone down under a challenge from Roach that forced him wide and when he crossed from the by line an almighty scramble followed. Then another slick move released skipper Gary Jones but he was denied by not 1 but 2 blocks in the penalty area. Howe then shot on the turn and the nervous Loach spilled causing another scramble on 29 minutes.

On 35 minutes Spencer caught well and released Muirhead who ran 60 yards before slipping a ball into the path of Lee Thorpe but stretching he fied just wide. On 41 minutes Tom Kennedy, Rundle, Thorpe and Howe produced a terrific move that ended with another Jones surge and the skipper shooting narrowly wide.

Disaster struck at the ned of a half that Dale dominated when their defence failed to deal with a Lee Bullock cross and the ball fell invitingly for veteran goalpoacher Peter Thorne who made no mistake shooting across Spencer from 10 yards.

Undeterred Dale came out for the second half in even more determined mood and might have restored their lead within a minute but Loach made up for his earlier errors reacting brilliantly as Howe connected with a pin point Rundle cross. Ex Bantam Muirhead then got into the act seeing his 25 yard free kick saved and then firing wide after a lay back by Thorpe.

On 75 minutes Howe turned well before firing just over from a narrow angle whilst a minute later a rare chance at the other end saw Thorne volley just wide from 22 yards.Dale went straight back onto the attack and after Rundle had wriggled his way to the line Muirhead was blocked by a great Clarke tackle as he seemed destined to score.

Both sides made substitutions and it looked like being an afternoon of frustration until one of them, Le Fondre , produced a piece of individual brilliance to win the game. Picking the ball up with his back to goal some 25 yards out the little striker turned, looked up and simply curled the ball into the net sparking great scenes of celebration behind the goal.

The blip is now over and it is onwards and upwards with all thoughts now on Notts County at Spotland on Tuesday. the managers target of 50 points and safety has now been achieved so everyone can relax and look forward to a few cup finals between now and May.