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Robins calls for strength

Image: Mark Robins: We have to up our game

Scunthorpe boss Mark Robins has urged his players to stand up and be counted in their remaining games if they are to survive.

The Iron's winless run stretched to seven games as they lost 3-1 against play-off chasing Rochdale at Spotland. Though Kevin van Veen's goal after an hour cancelled out Michael Rose's opener for the hosts, Dale responded quickly through Ian Henderson, who restored the lead within a minute. Peter Vincenti tied up the result with a close-range header in the 84th minute. "We've had a blip, as many teams will. But we need to sort it out and put it right as quickly as we can," said Robins, whose side are just one points above the relegation zone. "I am confident of doing that because we have some talented players. I can rant and rave and shout and scream at them, and there has been a bit of that, but the players have to be men. "It's a man's game and we have to make sure we are up for any challenge that is thrown at us - one or two shied away from it today. "We were bossed out of it in certain areas. On too many occasions we allowed them to boss us where we have big, ugly centre-halves who should be dominating proceedings." Rose's opening goal had an element of luck about it. His inswinging free-kick from the right evaded everybody and flew past goalkeeper Luke Daniels straight into the net. Van Veen offered hope when he shot through Jamie Jones legs but when Rhys Bennett hit the crossbar within a minute, Henderson was quickest to the rebound. And Vincenti's header confirmed the win, lifting Dale to eighth in the division, three points off the play-off places with two games in hand. Rochdale boss Keith Hill said: "I'm really delighted where we are in the league - over the moon. "But I'm also cautious with respect to I know how these monsters are built and who destroys them and the majority of the time, people who have too much expectation destroy the animal that we're trying to beat - and that's what happens. "Michael Rose's free-kick was right on the money, it was a great free-kick. We had bodies running across the ball, there's not much the goalkeeper can do, it's right on the money. "The game was in the balance, I think they are an absolutely great side. You have to get to breaking points in any game and sometimes breaking point doesn't happen until the 80th minute. "I thought it was two very well organised teams going toe-to-toe and I think that goal made the difference to the whole aspect of the game. "The opposition came to counter attack, which you can tell with the way they set up, but we had numerous phases of play with possession. But you need a product and we got it."

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