Underdogs again (according to the bookies) ...

Match Betting ... Rochdale generally around the 4/9 or 2/5 mark, Dons 13/8 or 7/4 (Bet365 go a standout 11/5).

Handicap Betting ... Dons +6 10/11 Hills, Ladbrokes & Skybet. (+8 10/11 with Bet365 & Betfred).

Again I'll take us plus the start.

Setting off in about 40 mins ... looking forward to seeing the Dons faithful in numbers.

COYD.

Half time DONS 18 ROCHDALE 8
DONS 18 Rochdale 20 (69 mins)
DONS 18 Rochdale 26 (72 mins)
FULL TIME 18 --26

A game of 2 halves, the crucial moment for me was the alleged knock on in the build up to Rochdales 2nd try.

We were very good in the 1st half , but to be fair to Rochdale they bullied us in the 2nd half. We did suffer a couple of injuries that seemed to disrupt our play.

The first30 mins Spaven was brilliant creating mayhem in the Rochdale defence.

For the neutral it would have been a good game. The players reaction at the end told how dissapointed they were.

Somebody gives you two fireworks to let off.
The first one goes fizz, bang wallop!
With anticipation you light the second one.
It goes phuut, phuut ... fizzle!
What the fook????
Well done Rochdale, at least you grafted.

The Dons were on fire for the first 20 minutes going 18 4 up but Rochdale scored just before half time. The second half Rochdale started to rough the Dons up and got away with it, but we seemed to lose our shape and there was only going to be one winner with Rochdale looking stronger and fitter than Donny who were now falling off tackles. Good support from the Dons fans all through the game and at the end clapping the team off.

Not much posting on here today ... is that a measure of the disappointment?

At the end of the day I am not shattered by the fact that we lost, it was just the manner of it.
Normally we struggle from the off at Rochdale, then come back.
But yesterday we attacked from the off starting with Spav's surprising and exciting early kick up the line. We took it to them and scored three times in twenty minutes, and we were looking the part. We looked impressive. Rochdale were rocking and didn't know what had hit them.

We never scored another point in one hour of play, never really looked like doing so and attempted no drop goals in what was a tight game.

I'm gobsmacked and bitterly disappointed.
We had them, but we let them get back up off the floor.

I agree about the knock on, staggering that it was missed by ALL of the officials. Had we have got to half time at 18-4 who knows? There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the second Rochdale score gave them a lifeline which to their credit they were able to take in the second half.

Not sure why we seemed unable to create the scoring opportunities in the second half that we had in the first 20 minutes (possibly have to give some credit to the oppositions defensive effort there) but it would be very difficult to criticise after the season we have had.

I thought we had the game to be honest after half an hour. I just expected us to keep going and finish them off. For some reason though we put the cue on the rack and let them back in. I also wanted us to front up a bit more when the rough stuff started. If they wanted to mix it lets get stuck into them but i dont think we are agressive enough for those games.

Anyway weve probably had a better season than what we were expecting at the start. thanks to all the players and staff at the club and all the loyal fans for their support and heres to giving championship 1 a good run next year!

Very disappointed with the result on Sunday, but overall i am happy with how the season has gone. We could have done better but for a few poor results at home mid season. Considering that two years ago we were in admin and on minus points, relegated and lost fifty odd nil at home to Gateshead i think the club have done really well. I think the Championship at this point is still a step to far for us, but as long as we keep building steadily things should be ok.
Well done and thankyou to all at the club.
Roll on next season.
COYD