Source: PA
Hills blasts Haines over pitch
Rochdale boss Keith Hill pointed an accusing finger at referee Andy Haines following his decision to play on a rain-sodden pitch as Leyton Orient claimed a 1-1 draw at Spotland.
Heavy rain in the build-up and throughout the match meant the surface cut up badly and despite the fact his side were leading at the break, Hill felt the contest should have been postponed.
The breakthrough arrived after 32 minutes when Brian Barry-Murphy's cross was glanced into his own net by Os defender Terrell Forbes.
Rochdale were left to rue a host of missed opportunities as Ben Chorley's header earned Orient a point, but Hill said: "The biggest loser on the day was the pitch. The pitch is an absolute disgrace after playing that game. Whoever wanted this game on, and for whatever reason, they are not looking at the consequences of the long-term future of our pitch.
"The referee had a decision to make and I think he got it wrong. That was not a spectacle, it wasn't football as it should be played.
"I wouldn't have been upset if the game had been called off at half-time. I watched a game at Ipswich recently and that was a farce - I just wanted the right decision to be made, but these decisions are taken out of our hands. I asked the referee to be brave and make the right decision, and I don't think he did."
