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Dickov looks to the future

Image: Paul Dickov: Still holds play-off hopes

Paul Dickov refused to accept that Doncaster's play-off hopes were over after dropping two more points in a 1-1 draw with Rochdale.

Rovers were much the better side in the first half and led 1-0 at the interval but a poor second-half display led to Rochdale grabbing a point and Dickov admitted: "It's going to be very difficult for us now." Doncaster were in sixth place five weeks ago but have dropped to 13th after taking four points from their last six games. Dickov said "We're disappointed because we gave ourselves a great chance and we've let it slip away. "But we've got to try and finish as high as we can now and see where that leaves us. "I thought we played reasonably well in the first half and created chances, but they were better than us after the interval. "We defended too deep and when we did break we didn't get enough balls in the box. "However, much as we are disappointed with the way we played in the second half you have to give Rochdale credit for the way they came back. "We'll be taking a close look at players in the remaining games with a view to next season, but that process started some time ago and we know where we need to strengthen." Doncaster snatched the lead after a scrappy start when Kyle Bennett forced the ball home at the far post in the 17th minute after latching on to a raking cross from Reece Wabara. Rochdale protested that a Rovers' player was offside and standing in front of the goalkeeper, but after consulting his assistant referee Gavin Ward allowed the goal to stand. The visitors hit back to level the scores when skipper Ian Henderson fired home at the near post following Michael Rose's cross from the left and finished the game on top, although neither side really looked like scoring again. Rochdale manager Keith Hill said: "We are disappointed with their goal because they had a player in an offside position, who made contact with our keeper. "So I don't know how they came to the conclusion that he wasn't interfering with play and we had a shout for a stonewall penalty, but it seems the referee wasn't in a position to see it." Hill added: "I wasn't happy with the way we started the game and it meant I had to change things round. "It's no good starting to play when you are a goal down and trying to step it up. "It's all about going out and imposing our game on the opposition and we didn't do that in the first half. "But I thought we dominated the second and could have scored more after the interval. "I was pleased with the way we responded and that we got a result. "It's a five-game season now and we are no further behind after this. "It's going to be difficult for us, but we are in a position to fight for the play-offs and we have to go for it."

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