Rochdale vs Bournemouth. Sky Bet League One.
Spotland StadiumAttendance2,499.
Saturday 18 February 2012 19:39, UK
Gary Jones handed Rochdale a League One lifeline by sinking Bournemouth 1-0 with an injury-time penalty at Spotland.
Lee Bradbury's side are now winless in four games on their travels after Dan Strugnell pushed Joe Thompson and Dale captain Jones kept his cool from the spot. Bournemouth were dealt an early blow when defender Stephen Purches was stretchered off after a challenge with Jason Kennedy. The Cherries took some time to adapt to the loss and Rochdale bossed the first half, going close to opening the scoring when Jones' long-range effort was pushed over the bar by Darryl Flahavan. The visiting goalkeeper was at full-stretch to save once more as Kevin Long met Brian Barry-Murphy's corner with a glancing header. Bournemouth ended the first half strongly and Wes Thomas should have done better when he headed Marc Pugh's cross over the top. Cherries forward Matt Tubbs slid a golden opportunity wide of the post after a clever cut back from Thomas, while Nicky Adams latched on to Jones' fine delivery but saw a close-range effort saved by Flahavan. It seemed both sides would have to settle for a point until Jones bagged the winner from the spot.
