Rochdale still in strong play-off position despite draw with Fylde

Rochdale missed the chance to virtually guarantee their National League play-off place with a goalless draw at home to relegated Fylde on a day when the club remembered Joe Thompson.

The former midfielder, who died this week aged 36 after being diagnosed with cancer for a third time, was celebrated with a minute’s applause at kick-off and the whole ground rose again in minute 15, the number he wore for the club.

The draw leaves them with a four-point cushion to eighth-placed Southend and Dale remain in a strong position as they also have a match in hand over all their rivals.

Devante Rodney glanced a header wide and Aidan Barlow curled off target in the first half, which ended with Dale’s Kyron Gordon making an important block to deny Nick Haughton.

After the break, Kairo Mitchell’s low shot was deflected wide by the feet of Fylde goalkeeper Ben Winterburn, who clawed out Kyle Ferguson’s header and collected at the second attempt.

Winterburn also denied Harvey Gilmour before Fylde almost snatched a win in added time with Max Bardell inches away from a tap-in at the back post from Gavin Massey’s cross.