THERE is an old saying in soccer that you should never go back, but thank goodness the Rochdale board ignored that advice when they brought back Steve Parkin on New Year's Day for his second managerial spell at Spotland.

The Nationwide Conference was looming large on the horizon when Parkin made his welcome return and with the coffers at Spotland all but empty, Dale's days as a Football League club looked numbered.

Parkin, quite rightly, decided that experience was the key to survival and his loan signings of seasoned campaigners like Greg Heald and Shaun Smith proved to be inspirational.

A draw against Southend in the penultimate match of the season completed the Great Escape and Parkin's reward for producing the get-out-of-jail card in the nick of time will surely be the permanent contract he so richly deserves.

PARKIN RATING: 8

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