Hereford beat promoted Dale: Match Review

Goals from Craig King and Ryan Valentine helped Hereford to inflict a 2-1 defeat on promoted Rochdale - their fifth in their last seven outings.

Rochdale had much the better of the first period as they virtually set up camp in the Hereford half.

Chances were difficult to come by, however, with shots mostly coming from distance.

Tom Kennedy shaved the bar with a free-kick from the edge of the area.

But it was Chris Dagnall who came closest, forcing a fine save from Adam Bartlett with a powerful volley from 30 yards.

Frank Fielding, in the Dale goal, had little to do before the interval as Hereford huffed and puffed in midfield but struggled to find a way through.

All that turned around swiftly at the start of the second period when Craig Dawson's attempted clearance from Gavin McCallum's shot was charged down by King and into the net.

Hereford extended their lead from a penalty on the hour. Valentine's spot-kick was saved by Fielding but the former Darlington man followed up to fire home.

Dale cut the deficit within 60 seconds when Gary Jones headed in Joe Thompson's cross.

But it was Hereford who looked the more likely to add to the tally, however, and McCallum's header from Ryan Green's cross came close to extending the lead.

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