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Bury 1 Rochdale 1

26/ 4/2008

Adam Le Fondre’s spot kick in the 89^th minute earned Rochdale a share of the spoils in a game ruined by referee Michael Jones.

Nicky Adams had fired Bury ahead in the 55^th minute but Le Fondre converted from the spot after a foul on fellow substitute Will Buckley.

The official had a poor game and was largely responsible for turning this derby into a nasty affair after sending off Nathan Stanton half an hour into the game and Ben Futcher in the second period.

Rochdale were cheered on throughout by a remarkable following of 2,783 travelling supporters out enjoy the final away fixture in the league programme. With the play-offs to come, this was merely a dress rehearsal.

Chris Dagnall made his first start of the year as he partnered Rene Howe in attack with Kallum Higginbotham continuing on the right and Le Fondre taking a place on the bench.

Nathan D’Laryea dropped out of the starting line-up to accommodate the returning Simon Ramsden, back after a dead leg injury.

First chance of the day fell Bury’s way when Glynn Hurst played a neat through pass to Andy Bishop, who stole a yard on Rory McArdle. The striker advanced into the area but Tommy Lee quickly narrowed the angle and made a good save with his left foot, diverting the ball to safety.

If that save was impressive, Lee’s next contribution really brought the game to life. The goalkeeper pulled off a terrific double save to deny Paul Scott and Efe Sodje in quick succession, both strikes coming at him from close range and only the sharpest of reflex saves keeping the scores level.

When Rochdale eventually cleared the ball, they broke upfield and had their first effort on goal, Gary Jones bringing a good save from Robert Provett with a 20 yard strike, Dagnall following up but unable to turn the loose ball into the net from a tight angle.

Stanton’s sending off came in the 28^th minute when Bennett’s weaving run was ended by the defender’s late challenge in a central position, 35 yards out. Referee Michael Jones felt Bennett’s was a goalscoring opportunity despite the distance to goal, and the Dale man was shown a straight red card.

In a quick reshuffle, Higginbotham was substituted as D’Laryea came on for Stanton.

Jones was booked for a a challenge on Richie Baker, ruling him out of the clash with Shrewsbury at Spotland next Saturday.

On 52 minutes, Dale carved out a good opening, Rundle’s deep cross superbly controlled by Dagnall and laid into the path of Howe, eight yards from goal. He managed to get a shot away, but Futcher charged down the attempt.

The home side took the lead in the 55^th minute when a Bishop collected a throw-in from the right and cleverly flicked the ball round D’Laryea and into the path of Nicky Adams, who had made an intelligent run across the area. Adams struck first time into the roof of the net from six yards.

Dagnall was close to equalising three minutes later when Howe picked him out at the back post with a low cross. Dagnall’s attempt to sidefoot the ball into the net was thwarted by Provett.

Ben Futcher was dismissed in the 76^th minute for a second bookable offence, a push on McArdle as Dale prepared to take a corner.

Dale’s deserved leveller came right at the death, and inevitably referee Jones had a hand in it. Buckley was clipped just inside the area in the 89^th minute, the referee awarding a controversial spot kick duly dispatched by Le Fondre.

Bury: Provett, Scott, Futcher, Haslam, Baker, Hurst (Stephens 78), Bishop, Buchanan, Adams, Bennett, Sodje. Subs not used: Stephens, Rouse, Rooney, Anane, Belford.

Rochdale: Lee, Stanton, McArdle, Kennedy, Higginbotham, Perkins, Jones, Rundle (Buckley 66), Howe, Dagnall (Le Fondre 62). Subs not used: D’Laryea, Muirhead, Montrose.

Referee: M Jones

Attendance: 6,271 (2,783)