Rochdale 2 Carlisle United 0: This, in truth, was Carlisle United in slower motion than we have seen recently, and that was always likely to be enough to check their remarkable recent march.
No side in League Two is good enough to perform sluggishly and expect a happy outcome – even one galvanised by a popular manager, a serious swell of support and the stirring momentum of six wins in seven.
From a long way out at Rochdale this felt like a game too far, one Paul Simpson afterwards admitted should have seen a “freshening up” of the team, rather than the same XI asked to go back into battle three days after those inspiring but tiring efforts against Bristol Rovers.
Good move, you have to say, by the manager post-match: fronting up, taking responsibility, drawing it all onto his own shoulders. It was decent of Simpson to say ‘my fault’ and allow his team this one.
That team, hearing those words, ought to be in the frame of mind to repay their leader at Tranmere. It was the sound of a boss stepping forward, rather than distributing blame.
With a fairer second-half wind, whilst they were finally applying good pressure, United might have got back into this. The truth, though, is they failed to create enough proper chances overall, and were therefore at the mercy of two crucial moments when the home side attacked.
The first, a penalty, was driven home by Liam Kelly amid a brisk home start to the game which caught United very much on their heels and looking somewhat drained from previous exertions. The second, a whacking late finish from Conor Grant, allowed Rochdale to breathe after a spell of Blues attacking.
In between: a mixed bag from Simpson’s team. The first half saw them leggy and slower in thought and deed than their hosts; the second saw them more forceful but, in reality, still only flirting with the idea of scoring.
They needed more scalpel, less bludgeon – and also to have taken the one glorious chance they had created. Jack Armer’s miss in the 25th minute left them chasing for longer than was necessary. On an evening when they were, overall, short, that one really needed to go in.
Rochdale, although devoid of wins recently, have the sort of playing style and sharp, diminutive ball-players that can nuisance sides who are tired and heavy-footed. So it turned out here.
The hosts’ passing and movement, as it had been at Brunton Park even in defeat last month, was bright. Carlisle were slow when receiving the ball in midfield, Corey Whelan more than once finding himself ambushed in the opening stages, and Luke Charman dipped a shot over the Blues’ bar before Rochdale went in front.
There was certainly a debate to be had about James Oldham’s decision to award a penalty when Whelan slid to try and intercept Stephen Dooley – a soft-looking call – but the move itself had come from a familiar early pattern: Rochdale pressing United busily (Charman on Whelan), before Jeriel Dorsett quickly put the jinking Dooley back up against the visiting defence.
Kelly made short work of the spot kick and Rochdale remained on their toes, Cashman going close during a first 15 largely spent in the Blues’ half. United flickered in response, but were a markedly lesser force than the team that tore back at Bristol Rovers. Their one penetrating move should have brought the equaliser, when Joe Riley linked with Patrick and his low cross evaded Kristian Dennis (who may have been fouled), but Armer pulled the shot across goal and badly wide.
That was the most they created, and the need was for Simpson’s side to show more composure and cleanness of touch on the ball, be less slow in execution, find ways to threaten a home defence who by and large kept United's frontmen away from the red zone.
They did, at least, step forward after the break, forcing their way down the sides, pushing Rochdale back, Brennan Dickenson applying muscle and persistence to the comeback attempt and Jordan Gibson redoubling the effort from deeper in midfield, but the Blues still lacked the cuteness of touch Rochdale showed when they occasionally worked it off their frontmen in the second half, and the likes of Kelly nipped onto things in the second phase.
They were denied a leveller when Dennis jumped with Jay Lynch and the keeper got the decision as the ball reached the net. Simpson then reached for his subs – Tobi Sho-Silva and Danny Devine for Dennis and Whelan – and the pressure remained, but without true clarity.
Dickenson remained at the forefront, driving one just out of Sho-Silva's reach, while ref Oldham was seldom an impressive figure, but Rochdale then went downfield and stung the Blues. When Corey O’Keeffe fed Grant and the home side's No11 drove through and fired high past Howard, you could hear a few Cumbrian balloons hiss.
Perhaps, on reflection, we were just a little greedy to imagine it could be seven wins from eight. This still improved United – let’s not forget that for a moment – must simply now reflect, refresh, breathe in and out, and start again at Tranmere.
READ MORE: Rochdale v Carlisle United - as it happened!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here