Exeter City continue to struggle

Report: Rochdale 3 Exeter City 1

Exeter City fell to defeat at the hands of Rochdale, who were 3-1 winners at Spotland in Sky Bet League 2.

The Grecians would have felt aggrieved to have gone into the interval trailing as a Michael Rose free-kick was the difference, but Alan Gow drew the sides level within seconds of the restart.

However second-half goals by Graham Cummins and Andrew Tutte confirmed victory for Dale and condemned the Grecians to a long journey back to the West Country.

Grecians manager Paul Tisdale made two changes to the starting XI following last weekend’s defeat to Southend – Gow and John O’Flynn were reintroduced as starters, with Matt Grimes and Matt Jay both omitted from the matchday 18.

Alongside fellow striker Sam Parkin, the returning duet made up a front three, mirroring the Rochdale formation which saw Ian Henderson, Scott Hogan and Graham Cummins man the attack. Tommy Doherty returned to the bench for City after a one-match suspension.

The three-man attack of Exeter were being supported well by the midfield and were working their way through the field. Matthew Lund and Michael Rose were providing a threat down City’s right. Gow was the first to register a shot from outside the area, but it was blocked out.

The Exeter City bench were up in arms when Matt Gill squirmed a cross into the box which clearly hit a Rochdale arm – but the referee didn’t even give a head-shake and play continued.

Andrew Tutte was wasteful for the Dale at the other end of the pitch, as a ball cleared into his path 25 yards from goal was picked up and smashed wildly wide of the target. Soon after Cummins climbed high to head goalwards at the back post, but the angle wasn’t favourable and Artur Krysiak collected.

Despite all of City’s bright play in the first period, it was Dale that took the lead. Rose was handed the chance to strike a free-kick after Hogan’s lung-busting run forward resulted in him being felled right outside the area by Pat Baldwin, whose name was taken for the trouble.

Rose’s left-footed strike curled up and over the wall, and beat Krysiak at his near post to give the Dale a lead.

City were almost gifted a chance to equalise soon after when Gow blocked a clearance high up the field and the ricochet pinged straight into the body of O’Flynn – but it caught the Irishman a little unawares and his first touch didn’t have the requisite delicacy to sit up nicely for him to shoot.

Half-time: Rochdale 1 Exeter City 0