Classic game of two halves, second best in the first - not so much 'not interested' as out competed by 'Dale, losing most second balls, not really linking up, the likes of Bruno running into cul-de-sacs. Poor goal and defence looked shaky. 'Dale didn't play like a side spanked last time out and low on confidence, but gee'd up to right a wrong, though we helped them somewhat first half.
Whatever they had in their half time tea, can I have some? Totally transformed second half, upped the tempo and sustained for most of the half, linked the passes and supported each much better, Morrell and Connolly bossing the midfield, Bruno now a threat every time he had the ball, Toff magnificent on the ball and everywhere off it. As 'Dale tired we looked most likely to win it, snuffing out a couple of breaks with Morrell notably bringing one potential clean break under control.
Who's said Payne a liablity? Provided our best chance first half with a twisty run in a crowded part of the box ending in pen shout when Connolly went down (bit theatrically, tbh), always a busy threat second half and unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions, seemed convinced one was a handball.
JMcC and AW slow with the subs, needed JA on 10 minutes earlier at least.
Ultimately, to use another cliche, we'll 'take the point', if they can continue the form of the second half we'll be doing ok post DC/NC. Hope Clive enjoyed it and didn't get too many hassling him to know how the manager search was progressing.
