Rochdale 1 Shrewsbury Town 1

Last updated : 30 September 2006 By Footymad Previewer
A hard-fought and thoroughly entertaining game ended all square as Rochdale underlined their recent revival and Shrewsbury Town demonstrated their promotion credentials.

Though the visitors bossed the game in terms of possession, the home side, particularly in the first half, created more clear-cut chances.

With just one defeat in eight outings prior to the game, Rochdale started brightly and giant Frenchman Morike Sako should have given them the lead after just four minutes, but shot weakly at keeper Chris MacKenzie from 15 yards.

The home fans only had to wait until the seventh minute for their side to take the lead as defender James Sharp, released by Shrewsbury two months ago, rose highest at the far post to head home a Lee Crooks corner.

Ten minutes later, a quick break could have seen Dale double their advantage, but leading scorer Chris Dagnall was denied by a brave save from MacKenzie.

The Shrews goalkeeper again saved his side just before the half-hour mark, with a superb reaction save to prevent Kelvin Langmead scoring an own goal from Gary Brown's cross.

Shrewsbury started the second half strongly and forced a series of corners, but Rochdale should have doubled their lead on 58 minutes when striker Keith Barker lobbed the ball over MacKenzie only to see it clear the crossbar.

The visitors hit back almost immediately, as livewire forward Derek Asamoah provided a low cross that substitute Andy Cooke turned in at the near post with his first touch.

Rochdale lost key defender Nathan Stanton to injury during the move that led to the Shrewsbury goal, and then had to hold on for the last 15 minutes as Town piled forward looking for a win.