The Vikings came into the game on the back of a 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Hanley Town last week. The away side started with the impetus after Paul Cliff had the game’s first real attempt on goal, it was soon followed up by Ben Tollitt but his shot was nervously saved by Rochdale keeper Gareth Fleming.

Vikings keeper Jack Earle had a mixed evening, which started when made a mess of a hopeless ball forward, defender Thomas Mitchell saved him from embarrassment. Tollitt’s pace was threatening to the Rochdale defence all game with the youngster being caught continually offside. The home side had the majority of the first half chances starting with Callum Smith having a shot superbly cleared off the line by right back Alex Davies. The Vikings went down to 10 men just before half time after captain Daniel Garvey was shown his second yellow for kicking the ball away. Vikings manager Steve Hill felt the sending off was just and said “No, no. It was a silly sending off from our point of view but the referee is doing what he has to do because that is the law of the game.”

Rochdale made the numerical advantage count has they piled the pressure on the Vikings defence early in the second half. They were awarded a penalty when Jack Earle came racing out of his goal only to clatter Callum Smith. The Vikings keeper soon atoned for his error by saving Carl Fitton’s penalty. The first goal of the game soon followed after a punt forward found Callum Smith who drove his shot past Earle.

As the half went on the 10 men continued to struggle, Rochdale had numerous chances to add to their one goal lead but Jason Hill couldn’t make the most of his opportunities. Hill would however have a hand in the second goal after producing fantastic footwork to rid of the Vikings defence only to see his shot saved by Earle but Luke Bradbury followed to fire the ball past the stricken Earle.

The Vikings kept their belief despite the score line and produced a 10 minute spell to be proud off. First an Alex Davies shot was blocked but Tollitt was first to the loose ball in the home side’s box, after seeing his first two attempts at goal blocked he remained calm to score at the third attempt, the away side began to show some fighting spirit. Tollitt would turn the game on its head and deny Rochdale all three points in added on time when Michael Boyle’s flick found Tollitt who fired his shot past Fleming at his near post. A neat cushion header and the use of pace left the defenders struggling to catch the Vikings number 9. Tollitt said “I should have had a couple more in the first half but second half we fought together. When the chances fell we did take them, we did only have literally a few half chances. For my first goal, the first one bobbled over my foot, the second was cleared of the line and the third one I thought I am going to have to just dive on it.” An enthralling game between two sides with nothing to play for but pride reach its conclusion with a touch of brilliance. Steve Hill said “I thought it was a good game, for an end of the season game I thought it was really entertaining for the neutral because both teams were going for it from start to finish.” Vikings now must focus and prepare for the visit of Daisy Hill to the Select Security Stadium on Saturday afternoon.