Dale make it fourth time lucky
Craig Dawson headed the only goal of the game as Rochdale returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Notts County at Spotland.
Three defeats in their last three games had seen Keith Hill's men slip out of the play-off reckoning, but a narrow win over the Magpies at least halted their slide down the League One rankings.
County striker Niogo Demba-Nyren wasted the best chance of the opening half, the frontman diverting Kevin MacDonald's cross away from goal when it appeared easier to score.
Paul Ince's men had gone close early on when Graeme Lee met Ivan Sproule's corner with a diving header, his effort too high to trouble Owain Fon Williams in the Dale goal.
The closest Rochdale came was Jason Kennedy's snapshot, the midfielder reacting sharply to meet Chris O'Grady's centre but unable to keep his effort down.
The deadlock was broken within seconds of the restart, Nicky Adams' corner to the back post met by Dawson and his thumping downward header beat Stuart Nelson all ends up.
The goal forced County out of their defensive shell and they pressed hard for an equaliser, Fon Williams pulling off eye-catching saves to keep out Demba-Nyren`s header and a dipping drive from Sproule, while Alan Gow's goalbound effort was blocked by the commanding Marcus Holness.
Dale's search for a second saw Nelson save at full stretch from Gary Jones' volley, but in the end Dawson's effort was enough.
Rochdale 1-0 Notts County: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.
Source: DSG
