Rochdale 1 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

In a scrappy game at Spotland, Keith Hill’s side took the lead in the second half when Calvin Andrew fired in at the second attempt after initially seeing a strike well blocked by Luke Leahy.

The goal was a bitter pill to swallow for Jon Whitney’s side who had been the better side up until that point.

And while they then pushed forward for an equaliser, it didn’t arrive until the 90th minute with Kouhyar sweeping in a low cross from Erhun Oztumer.

Analysis

In naming his starting line-up, boss Whitney made four changes from the team that fell to defeat at Northampton last weekend.

Sticking with a 4-2-3-1 formation, Daniel Agyei came in for his first start since October with fellow front man Amadou Bakayoko suspended.

Nicky Devlin, Joe Edwards and Kory Roberts were also restored in place of Liam Kinsella, Florent Cuvelier and James Wilson – with the latter absent after welcoming the arrival of a new baby girl.

For Rochdale, who lined up in midfield diamond system, Calvin Andrew partnered Matt Done in attack.

There was also an early present for Dale fans as Joe Thompson made it into the match day squad for the first time since famously beating cancer for a second time.

In what was a scrappy opening 20 minutes – not helped by the surface at Spotland – both teams struggled to create any clear cut chances.

But it was the Saddlers who were looking the more assured both in and out of possession.

And they created the game’s first chance when Joe Edwards fired wide from 20-yards following an Erhun Oztumer corner.

For Walsall, Edwards and Zeli Ismail had both started the game well with Whitney’s men threatening again when Ismail found Agyei inside the area.

The Burnley loanee then cut inside Donervon Daniels before curling a strike high and wide.

Rochdale were struggling to find any rhythm with a Callum Camps free-kick – which went straight into the wall – their only chance in the opening half-hour.

But Keith Hill’s side almost grabbed what would have been an undeserved lead in first-half stoppage time when Camps’ miss-hit cross cannoned off Walsall’s crossbar before bouncing to safety.

The home side made a change at the break with Brad Inman replacing Done.

It Walsall though who thought they had grabbed the lead just minutes after the re-start following some wonderful intricate play from Oztumer, Luke Leahy and Agyei in the Rochdale box.

The move ended with Agyei producing a cheeky back heel which allowed Oztumer to loft the ball over Josh Lillis from close range.

But unfortunately for the Saddlers, the linesman deemed Walsall’s top scorer to be offside.

Rochdale threatened after forcing a succession of corners just before the hour mark.

First Oliver Rathbone saw a strike from 12-yards deflect wide off Adam Chambers. Then from the resultant set-piece, Andrews headed the ball back across but Edwards as able to hack clear.

It was Whitney’s men who were continuing to look the more dangerous though and they came a whisker away from taking the lead when Edwards sent in a dangerous cross the right.

The delivery was met in the air by Kieron Morris who planted a header towards goal. But the effort was met by Josh Lillis who spectacularly tipped the ball over the bar.

That chance had proved the first attempt that had been on target. But 60 seconds later, the hosts were ahead.

After Andrew had collected the ball in the box, the striker initially saw a strike well blocked by Leahy.

But the ball kindly ricochet back to the forward. And with Gillespie unsighted, he curled the ball into the net for his third goal in six games.

Whitney responded by making his first change in the 71st minute with Simeon Jackson replacing Kieron Morris. All of Spotland then burst into applause as Thompson was introduced for Jordan Williams.

Lifted by their goal, the Dale were now playing the type of football they have become known for over the past few years.

And they should have doubled their advantage when a low ball flashed across the Saddlers six-yard-box.

The delivery was initially met by Andrews who poked the ball towards goal only to see his effort blocked.

Thompson then reacted first but a spectacular goal line clearance from Leahy stopped the midfielder from enjoying a fairy-tale comeback.

In the final 10 minutes Walsall sent of number of balls forward in a bid to try and fine an equaliser.

And it finally arrived as the clock ticked into the 90th minute when Rochdale could only half-clear a deep free-kick from substitute Reece Flanagan.

The ball was then worked to Oztumer on the right with the creative schemer sending in a low cross that was brilliantly swept into the net by Kouhyar from 12-yards – with the strike the youngsters first in League One.

Key Moments

6 Erhun Oztumer’s corner falls for Joe Edwards on the edge of the box. The midfielder then hits a half-volley which deflects wide.

8 Joe Bunney sends a dangerous low cross into the box which is well smothered by Mark Gillespie.

20 Joe Edwards pulls a right-footed shot wide following Erhun Oztumer’s corner.

21 Daniel Agyei cuts inside Donervon Daniels before curling high and wide from just inside the box.

30 Callum Camps sends a free-kick straight into the wall from 30-yards.

43 Luke Leahy’s ball over the top get Oztumer in behind the Rochdale defence. He then looks to cut the ball back to Edwards. But the pass doesn’t have enough on it and a defender clears.

45 Camps miss-hits a cross from the right with bounces off Walsall’s crossbar.

47 Goal disallowed. Oztumer lifts the ball over Josh Lillis from close range after some intricate paly involving Luke Leahy and Agyei. But the linesman deems Walsall’s top scorer to be offside.

56 Oliver Rathbone sees a strike from 12-yards deflect wide off Adam Chambers.

62 Josh Lillis produced an excellent save to tip over Kieron Morris' header from Edwards' cross.

63 Goal Rochdale. Calvin Andrew curls into the net after initially seeing a strike well blocked by Leahy.

78 Rochdale should double their advantage when Ian Henderson sends in a dangerous low ball. The delivery is scuffed by Andrew with Joe Thompson the seeing an effort blocked on the line by Leahy.

88 - Agyei, stretching, fires wide from 20 yards.

90 GOAL Walsall. Maz Kouhyar sweeps the ball home from close range following Oztumer’s dangerous low cross.

Teams

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McGahey, Daniels, Bunney, Camps, Rathbone, Henderson, Williams (Thompson 72), Done (Inman 46), Andrew.

Subs not used: McNulty, Keane, Moore, Kitching, Gillam

Walsall: Gillespie, Devlin, K. Roberts, Guthrie, Leahy, Chambers, Edwards (Flanagan 87), Ismail (Kouhyar 80), Oztumer, Morris (Jackson 71), Agyei.

Subs not used: Ganley, Kinsella, Candlin, Donnellan.