RICKY Lambertés late equaliser gave Rochdale a deserved draw and him a share of the divisionés golden boot with Carlisleés Karl Hawley.

With the now retired Gareth Griffiths outstanding at the heart of the defence, Lincolnés usual aerial bombardment was kept at bay until the 72nd minute when defender Gareth McAuley headed home from a corner.

Manager Steve Parkin knows that replacing Griffiths will be a tough task when he begins his summer rebuilding.

éIt will be almost impossible. He is a terrific character both on and off the pitch.

éHe is a great lad and a credit to the club. I am proud to have brought him here. Everyone connected with Rochdale wish him the very best for the future.é

Budget

Griffiths will start a new career in insurance after jetting off to represent Southampton in the Hong Kong Masters.

Parkin having had a clearout of his underachieving squad now faces a summer of wheeler dealing as he looks to improve on a disastrous season.

éThe first half of the season was very good but yet again weéve fallen away. Weéve got to think long and hard about the way things have gone and work at bringing players in with the budget that Iéve been given. It will be difficult but it wonét be for the want of trying.

éIéve had a fair bit of criticism this season but one good thing I did was to bring Grant Holt and Ricky Lambert here.

éEveryone should be grateful that weéve sold one of them for a lot of money and the other is probably worth just as much.

éHopefully we can hang on to Ricky and build around him but only time will tell.é

Who would you like to see Parkin go for? Have your say.

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