Late equaliser was no more than we deserved – Doncaster boss Moore

Posted Sunday, August 11, 2019 by PA

Doncaster got out of jail with an added-time equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at Rochdale – but boss Darren Moore insisted it was no more than they deserved.

Aaron Morley’s 66th minute cross-cum-shot flew into the net and appeared enough to secure the points for Dale as the game entered time added on.

But Kieran Sadlier headed Moore’s men level when he rose above the home defence to head past Robert Sanchez in the Dale goal.

“I thought it was a wonderful advertisement for the division, two teams who like to get ball down and play,” said Moore.

“Rochdale did it well and I thought we did it well in spells. I think both teams will be disappointed with the goals they conceded, ours came from a cross-cum-shot.

“They conceded a set-play, which you are never happy about as a manager. But you have to remember we were rocked by an enforced change 15 minutes before the break when Alex Baptiste was injured.

“We reset well and I thought it would have been cruel for us to lose here. The spirit, the work-rate and endeavour were all there.

“This is a difficult place to come because if you don’t show the energy levels we displayed today, they will make you pay. So I thought it was a positive point.”

Morley’s goal had more of an element of luck about it, Rovers keeper Ian Lawlor reacting too late when the midfielder’s delivery into the area flew past him and into the net.

But Rovers rallied well and deserved their point, Sadlier climbing unopposed to head home Jon Taylor’s corner.

Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy was disappointed not to take the three points but was pleased with the way his side have started the season, following their opening day win at Tranmere.

“It’s been a great start from our lads, they have given absolutely everything,” he said. “It was a very technical game, a good contest and there were large parts of it where I felt we performed very well.

“Towards the end of the match Doncaster threw absolutely everything at us, which was inevitable, but our lads defended with great courage.

“It would have been nice to have won the game but I keep asking them to give everything to try and stop those goals going in and they did that, it was just unfortunate that their player was left unmarked.

“We’ll move on, we’re very happy with how we played and we’ll evolve and get better.”