Forest Green Rovers went to league leaders Rochdale and will feel they should have come away with at least a point.

Conceding inside two minutes put the lads on the back foot, but they grew into the game well and went toe to toe with a very good team.

Kyle McAllister equalised just before half-time but the Dale sealed the win in the second half with a second clinical strike from forward Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

First Half:

It was a very wet Crown Oil Arena last night under the lights, having rained most of the day and continuing through the whole game and long after.

Great conditions for a midweek, evening game of football.

After the difficulties earlier in the season, credit has to be given to the ground staff for the immaculate-looking pitch.

Before kick-off, the lads and staff looked confident and you could see they were up for this one but were dealt a huge sucker punch within just two minutes as the Dale scored and went one up.

A huge goal kick from Whatmuff was not dealt with and a couple of slick passes later, Dieseruvwe found himself in space a couple of yards out and slotted home.

Robbie Savage had his head in his hands and although disappointed, he’ll have been very happy with the reaction that followed.

Rovers really grew into this game and many commented this was one of the best halves of football they’d played this season.

It wasn’t all Rovers though and both teams contributed to a great footballing spectacle.

Isted made a smart save on 12 minutes to keep it at just one.

Shortly after, Rees went through the middle and had his shot saved by Whatmuff.

I’ve no doubt Ricardo will be gutted he didn’t stick it away.

Rochdale were an organised unit, they sat deep and chose their moments when to attack.

But Rovers got what they deserved just before half-time after some patient build up play and great work by Ahmed down the right when the ball popped out of the area, landing with Kyle McAllister.

Macca then did what he does best.

He beat one, then another before thumping the ball into the bottom corner.

One-one and game on!

In added time, Nick Haughton almost made it the perfect comeback but Whatmuff tipped his exquisite free-kick just past the post. Great save!

As the first half drew to a close, it was all FGR and the Dale will have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

Despite going behind early, Savage’s half-time team talk will have been very positive.

Half-Time: Rochdale 1-1 Forest Green

Second Half:

As things got underway in the second half, Savage’s men were looking to carry on the fine finish to the first half.

It continued to be a great game to watch, very open and both teams pushing for the winner.

Slight bias perhaps, but all associated with Rovers felt the game was there to be won.

To be fair though, Rochdale did have their fair amount of chances to go ahead.

And on the 63rd minute, the curse of the commentator struck and they did.

Left winger Moss pounced on an error and again Dieseruvwe found himself in space in the box to tuck it neatly away in the bottom corner.

Fair to say this goal knocked the stuffing out of the lads but they pushed on.

Rovers survived a goalmouth scramble to beat all goalmouth scrambles and kept it level.

Bunker went close up the other end with a great header that was matched with a great save.

Christian Doidge was introduced late on and almost had a chance to equalise but he just couldn’t get his shot off.

Tough result for the lads and fans to take.

Robbie Savage had called this a test to see where his team were against the best in the league.

And they acquitted themselves well, it’s a game of fine margins sometimes and last night was a good example of this.

Short turnaround after this defeat, we host Carlisle on Saturday at 5.30pm and the gaffer will remind the lads that if they continue to play as well as they have in recent games, we can get three points against fellow play-off contenders.

A huge thanks to all those who travelled, know that we appreciate you all greatly!

See you all Saturday.

Full-Time: Rochdale 2-1 Forest Green

Smyths Toys POTM: Kyle McAllister

Line ups:

Rochdale: Whatmuff, Gordon, Ebanks-Landell ©, Perry, Adebayo-Rowling (71’ Petit), East (78’ Hosannah), Gilmour, Burger (71’ Barlow), Moss, Rodney (71’ Pritchard), Dieseruvwe (78’ Henderson)

Subs (not used): Duku, Allarakhia

Forest Green: Isted, Mendy ©, Ahmed (89’ Pemberton), Kircough (56’ Bunker), Morrison (71’ Kengni), Campbell, Nwoko, Buyabu (89’ Doidge), Haughton (71’ Clarke), McAllister, Rees

Subs (not used): Pagel, Knowles

Attendance: 2,646