Rochdale score late equaliser to deny Maidenhead United much-needed win

Chanka Zimba (centre) celebrates with Brad Keetch and Casey Pettit. Photo: Maidenhead United

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Maidenhead United 2, Rochdale 2

Maidenhead United and Rochdale traded late goals at York Road as the spoils were shared in an entertaining and ultimately very even encounter.

Searching for their first league win in seven weeks, Maidenhead looked to have sealed victory when substitute Chanka Zimba ran through to fire the hosts into a 2-1 lead in the 85th minute.

However, a late defensive lapse enabled Devante Rodney to set up man-of-the-match Tyrese Sinclair for an emphatic back-post finish a couple of minutes later.

Eleven places separated the sides coming into this fixture, with Rochdale still adapting to life in the National League following relegation last season and United doing their best to survive for a seventh-successive season at this level.

Alan Devonshire's side were buoyed by positive 1-1 draws against Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic over the previous seven days, while Jimmy McNulty's side were looking to bounce back from a 2-0 mid-week defeat to promotion chasing Solihull Moors.

The Dale deservedly led at the break, Kairo Mitchell capitalising on a simple ball over the top of United's backline and showing the composure to steady himself before sweeping a low, left-footed shot beyond Craig Ross from just inside the area.

Further half chances came and went for the visitors, who looked lively throughout the half with man-of-the-match Tyrese Sinclair looking particularly dangerous against Zico Asare down Maidenhead's left side.

United managed to get into the break trailing by just the single goal and having been largely stifled by Rochdale's defence in the previous 60 minutes, they staged a stirring fightback in the final half an hour.

First Reece Smith, who'd glided into some decent positions in the first half without managing to find the final shot or ball, scored a simply sensational equaliser. Picking the ball up on the right side, he right-back Kwaku Oduroh and ran the other side of him before collecting himself to direct a low shot beyond Louie Moulden and into the far corner. It was a brilliant strike which breathed life into Maidenhead's offensive play. They then came again in the 85th minute, when Zimba latched onto a through-ball from midfield and steered the ball into the far corner, with Moulden managing to get contact on the ball but not doing enough to divert it past the post.

It seemed Maidenhead were closing in on their first league win since August 19, however, just a couple of minutes later, they switched off defensively and a long ball over the top from Ethan Ebanks-Landell was picked up by Devante Rodney - himself returning from a spell on the sidelines with pneumonia - who fired in a low cross that Sinclair finished off emphatically at the far post.

Rochdale mustered some late pressure in the nine minutes of stoppage-time, but Maidenhead held on for their third draw on the spin. The result was fair on both sides, but both managers will also be slightly disappointed they weren't able to do slightly better defensively and come away with all three points.

Whether it's a point gained, or two lost for Maidenhead depends on whether you're a glass half-full or half-empty kind of person. They're now three unbeaten in the league having played some tough opponents, but on the flip side they're now 11 games without a win in the league and have dropped back into the relegation zone in 22nd place.

Afterwards, Magpies boss Alan Devonshire said: “If you look at the game, it’s probably a fair result. But when you’re 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go you expect to close it out. The two goals we’ve given away are just two balls pumped over the top. There was no real quality. I don’t mind being beat by a 30-yarder into the top corner or something, but they were two poor goals. I think we looked tired, and I think we need to get fitter, because I still think we don’t look fit enough. If we’re going to compete at this level, we’re going to have to get fitter, so we’ll be working harder next week.”

His opposite number, Jimmy McNulty added: “I don’t think we were too far away today. It would have been a travesty had we lost that game. What I can acknowledge is their spirit. It warms me and I feel fortunate, lucky and thankful to have that from them. The fight ended up getting us a point today because it was tough. When you go to these places and you go 2-1 down having been in front, your ego goes through the floor and your confidence goes through the floor.”