ROCHDALE'S win against Accrington sent the Spotland side up to fifth place in the league but still had boss Keith Hill reaching for his headache tablets.

"We were rubbish for the whole game but we've won. I was really surprised at the performance and I think we've only played at 60 per cent of our capacity, and we can't afford to do that. I think we're very fortunate to have won the game," he said.

Not even the valuable contribution of teenage starlet Will Buckley was enough to please the Spotland boss.

He said: "If Will wants to play at a higher level then he has to work harder at getting the ball back when he hasn't got it. He has to do more when he hasn't got the ball. He has quality but ability alone will not make him successful."

Rochdale took the lead 23 minutes in when Buckley's weaving run was ended illegally by Phil Edwards in the area and referee Colin Webster had no hesitation in awarding a spot-kick.

Adam Le Fondre stepped forward and hammered home his second penalty in as many games.

Lead

Rochdale's lead did not last long. Accrington had the ball in the net within a minute, Peter Cavanagh curling a free-kick into the top corner after a foul by Rory McArdle on Grant.

Rochdale nudged in front in the 55th minute when Adam Rundle's square ball into the penalty area was side-footed home by Buckley.

Kallum Higginbotham, on loan at Accrington earlier this season, scored the third in the 87th minute, ending a driving run at goal with a cool finish.

Accrington boss John Coleman said: "Every time we lose a game it's a disappointment, especially here. We might as well have sent a video of the last four years because every time we play here it's exactly the same.

"We concede a penalty, we score then miss host of chances and give away a silly goal and let them boss the rest of match.

"I think it was a penalty for Rochdale's opening goal but if that was a penalty we should have had three.

"Last week we had the rub of the green with a doubtful penalty but we've had a lot of dubious ones given against us this season.

"If we have three stonewall penalties turned down and they get one awarded, it's hard to take."

ROCHDALE: Russell 6, Wiseman 6, Stanton 6, McArdle 6, Kennedy 6, Buckley 7, Toner 6, Keltie 6, Rundle 6, McEvilly (Dagnall 60) 6, Le Fondre 7 (Higginbotham 75). Subs not used: M Jones, Ramsden, Spencer

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