Rochdale and Forest Green Rovers fought out a 0-0 National League draw at the Crown Oil Arena following midweek defeats. Both sides were looking for a winning formula after Rochdale lost 1-0 to York on Tuesday, and Forest Green went down by the same score against Barnet. 

Despite a largely dominant performance, Dale were unable to break down a stubborn Forest Green side at the Crown Oil Arena. The first half was a cagey affair with the home side starting strong but a deflected effort from captain Ben Tozer almost changed the tie completely. Six minutes in and it was the visitors who created the first opening when Charlie McCann’s well hit strike flew over the crossbar. 

Ben Tozer then had a deflected effort which dipped narrowly over and out for a corner. Dale created a brilliant passing move on 12 minutes when Devante Rodney slotted through Tobi Adebayo-Rowling who’s low driven cross was met by Connor McBride, but his shot was diverted wide by a defender. 

McBride was then played in down the left moments later but his cross-shot attempt was blocked towards the goal line. And the Dale forward was then picked out from Ryan East’s corner but he couldn’t get enough purchase on his header as it drifted wide. Rovers thought they were in for an opener when they nabbed possession and the ball was played in for Tom Knowles who’s shot was excellently saved by Luke McNicholas, however the linesman’s flag on the near side was raised. 

Tarryn Allarakhia looked lively down the left as he sized up a free-kick around 22 yards from goal but his try towards the far post was gathered. Forest Green had the final chance of the first half when Kyle McAllister clipped a ball in for Christian Doidge but his flicked header drifted wide. 

Second Half Drama

Dale started the second half on the front foot when Ryan East and Harvey Gilmour linked up on the edge of the area, Gilmour’s eventual attempt with his left was held by Jed Ward. Three minutes later, Adam May picked out Doidge in the middle at the other end, the onrushing forward denied by McNicholas. 

Both Aaron Henry, off the bench, and East had powerful attempts within a minute of each other, both narrowly flying over the Forest Green goal. Dale almost grabbed the lead when Allarakhia found space down the left and his deep cross picked out Adebayo-Rowling who’s cut back was cleared to safety just in front of Kairo Mitchell. 

Jake Burger entered the field and created an opening with eight minutes remaining, the 19 year old beating a defender but unfortunate to drag his left footed effort which was saved. It was Rovers who had the last opportunity of the game, McNicholas punched away a set piece which fell invitingly for Liam Sercombe, his strike was brilliantly saved and bravely held from Doidge closing in. 

Key Moments and Players

It proved an encounter of few clear-cut chances, although Forest Green had more shots on goal and collected eight corners to Rochdale’s five. Rovers forward Christian Doidge came the closest for the away side as his second half effort was poked goalwards into the arms of Luke McNicholas, the Rochdale goalkeeper. 

Liam Sercombe almost found a late winner after Ben Tozer's long throw caused problems in Dale's defence, but McNicholas did well to lay claim on the ball. Both sides came close to an opener at times but neither could find the goal in order to steal all three points away from the other. The best moments of the game came in the form of a brilliant passing move by Rochdale on 12 minutes when Devante Rodney slotted through Tobi Adebayo-Rowling who’s low driven cross was met by Connor McBride, but his shot was diverted wide by a defender. 

Looking Ahead

They return to action on Monday when Rochdale make the long trip to Yeovil and Forest Green entertain Altrincham. Despite a largely dominant performance, Dale were unable to break down a stubborn Forest Green side at the Crown Oil Arena. The draw extends both teams’ winless runs to three games in all competitions. Rochdale’s next fixture is away to Yeovil Town, while Forest Green host Altrincham. 

The match was a frustrating one for both sides, with neither team able to create many clear-cut chances. It was a battle of two good defenses, with both teams playing very defensively and holding each other to a stalemate. Both teams will need to be more creative in the final third in their upcoming matches if they want to start winning games. The draw means that Rochdale remain in 11th place in the table, while Forest Green are in 10th.