Rochdale 0 - 0 Wrexham

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Saturday Dec 01 2007 03:00

Rochdale totally controlled the game but were left frustrated as relegation-threatened Wrexham "parked their bus" in front of their goal.

Dale had the opportunity to move into the top ten with a victory and forced five corners in the opening minutes but time and again Wrexham's back five, with Steve Evans simply magnificent, kept them at bay and ensured that chances were at a premium.

On seven minutes Kallum Higginbotham fired over from a tight angle and midway through the first period Adam Le Fondre blasted narrowly wide.

The game's best moment came midway through the second half when Le Fondre produced a brilliant 25-yard lob that beat keeper Anthony Williams but rebounded off the inside of the upright to deny him an early 21st birthday present.

Wrexham's only noteworthy shot of the afternoon came soon after when Matt Done fired in a swerving effort from distance and Dale keeper Sam Russell almost made a hash of beating it away.

Anthony Williams was forced into action to keep out headers from Higginbotham and substitute Glenn Murray while in the final minute Le Fondre saw his diving header go wide.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill was left frustrated by Wrexham's tactics, saying after the stalemate: "I like to see entertainment and in a similar position last year we didn't resort to tactics like that.

"Wrexham kept a back five on the edge of their own penalty area and never came out.

"I can understand why they did it and you have to commend them for the way that they defended, but I wouldn't pay to watch football like that."

  • 90
    The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
  • 81
    Matt Done is being taken off, Josh Johnson has come on in his place.
  • 71
    Lee McEvilly is replaced by Rory Prendergast.
  • 70
    Michael Proctor is being taken off, Marc Williams has come on in his place.
  • 66
    The referee has booked Glenn Murray.
  • 63
    David Perkins is replaced by John Doolan.
  • 59
    Adam Rundle is replaced by Glenn Murray.
  • 56
    Wes Baynes goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 0.
  • 45
    Half time whistle is blown by M Haywood
  • 40
    Neil Taylor is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 21
    The referee has booked Kallum Higginbotham.
  • 0
    The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Statistics

Rochdale
Shots on target 8
Shots off target 6
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 11
Offsides 3
Corners 13

Wrexham
Shots on target 4
Shots off target 4
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 12
Offsides 1
Corners 3

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