Rochdale 3 Exeter City 3.

Tuesday 29 October 2002.

Referee: C Webster

Att: 1944

BBC match report –
Rochdale twice came back from a goal behind to earn their first point in four games in an entertaining draw with Exeter.

The Grecians stunned the home side when they took the lead with just 50 seconds on the clock.

Dale failed to deal with a long ball which fell to Steve Flack, who stabbed the the ball past goalkeeper Neil Edwards.

The Spotland outfit had plenty of chances to equalise, the best when Paul Simpson's rasping drive rattled the crossbar, but they found goalkeeper Kevin Miller equal to the task.

However, just before the break, Simpson's pinpoint delivery found Chris Beech at the far post and he headed home his first goal for the club.

It was to be Beech's last contribution to the game as he received a blow to his head on the way to scoring and had to be substituted.

Rochdale started the second half with purpose and went in front after 59 minutes with a superb long-range free-kick from the trusty boot of Simpson, who angled his effort into the top corner of the net.

But Dale fans' joy was short-lived as Reiner Moor's left-foot volley levelled the contest after 75 minutes.

The visitors regained the lead when Martin Thomas broke through a static defence and tucked the ball past Edwards four minutes later.

With the game heading for an Exeter win, Rochdale captain Gareth Griffiths' fine header secured a point for the home side with just five minutes remaining.

Rochdale: Edwards, Duffy, Evans, Griffiths, Doughty, Flitcroft, Beech, Simpson, McEvilly, Platt, Connor. Subs: Gilks, Bishop, McCourt, Townson, Jobson.

Exeter: Miller, Hiley, Whitworth, Gaia, Buxton, Pettefer, Cronin, Walker, Thomas, Moor, Flack. Subs: Fraser, McConnell, Roscoe, Curran, Coppinger.

Referee: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).