Keith Hill believes he will have to factor the state of Spotland’s pitch into his tactical planning over the next few games.

Hill employed a three-man midfield to combat a sticky surface at the Moss Rose on Saturday, where Dale beat Macclesfield 1-0 to go five points clear at the top of League Two.

And the Spotland chief is braced for a run of games on poor pitches – including Dale’s own.

Speaking ahead of last night’s scheduled fixture at home to Rotherham, Hill spoke of his disappointment that Hornets were using the pitch just two days before the crucial match against fellow title contenders.

"I am somewhat dismayed that we have rugby being played again on our pitch," he said.

"I just don’t understand it – surely something can be done? No disrespect to the rugby, but when they open the gates 200 supporters turn up. That pitch is conducive to rugby and rugby alone – it’s not conducive to the style of football we want to play. Everybody should be pulling together in our pursuit of trying to get promotion.  It seems so inconsiderate that our pitch is going to be ruined for Tuesday night’s game. We want good football pitches and we’re not going to get one for a while, so it’s a consideration with respect to changing tactics."

Nat Brown’s own goal proved decisive at the weekend as Dale bounced back from defeat against Bradford City days earlier. Though the margin of victory was narrow, Dale were good value for their 11th win from the last 16 games. It was just the response Hill was looking for.

"We’ve won 20 games so far and I don’t believe the lads get the credit they deserve," he said. "Some things upset you in football and to suggest we are not the real deal somewhat upsets me and the players. It was probably a response to half the crowd leaving before the end of the game last Tuesday’s game against Bradford. Macclesfield huffed and puffed in the second half and threw a lot of things into the box, but we defended excellently and we had to deal with injury situations."