SKY BET LEAGUE 1      
Tuesday February 23rd, 7.00pm      
PTS Academy Stadium

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

ROCHDALE 0

Cobblers: Jonathan Mitchell, Peter Kioso, Lloyd Jones, Alan Sheehan, Joseph Mills, Shaun McWilliams, Ryan Watson (sub Jack Sowerby 83), Bryn Morris, Mickel Miller (sub Sam Hoskins 46), Ryan Edmondson, Mark Marshall (sub Danny Rose 88)
Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Caleb Chukwuemeka, Cian Bolger, Fraser Horsfall
 
Rochdale:  Gavin Bazunu, Ryan McLaughlin, Jimmy McNulty, Eoghan O’Connell, Aaron Morley, Stephen Humphrys, Alex Newby, Jimmy Keohane, Oliver Rathbone, Conor Grant (sub Kwadwo Baah 65), Conor Shaughnessy
Subs not used: Gabriel Osho, Paul McShane, Jay Lynch, Haydon Roberts, Matt Done, Ethan Brierley

Referee: Kevin Johnson 

Booked:
Cobblers: Peter Kioso (56, 3rd of the season), Shaun McWilliams (75, 6th), Alan Sheehan (90, 1st)
Rochdale: none

10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension       
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension

Sent off:
Cobblers: none      
Rochdale: none

Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.

Alan Sheehan and Mickel Miller came into the Northampton Town side as two of four changes made by caretaker boss Jon Brady for the midweek clash with Rochdale. Ryan Watson and Ryan Edmondson were also recalled to the starting XI with Jack Sowerby, Fraser Horsfall, Sam Hoskins and Danny Rose dropping to the bench.

On a very windy night at the PTS Academy Stadium, Gavin Bazunu made a good low save to deny Watson with a Dale defender just able to clear the rebound before Mark Marshall could pounce. Stephen Humphrys headed wide in a good chance for the visitors, both sides feeling their way into the contest in testing conditions.

Bazunu saved comfortably from Miller and Watson after some good work by Edmondson, Watson also seeing a shot blocked at close range as the Cobblers tried to prise an opening before half-time.

Sam Hoskins replaced Miller at half-time and almost immediately set up a chance for Edmondson who was denied one-on-one by a good save from Bazunu. Edmondson then slipped in Marshall who fired over via a deflection.

Jonathan Mitchell made a good save to deny Dale substitute Kwadwo Baah, the game still delicately poised going into the last fifteen minutes.

Peter Kioso’s teasing cross evaded everyone as the Cobblers pushed for a late winner but it wasn’t to be and the points were shared.

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)     
SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 6
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 3
CORNERS: (2) 4         
FOULS: (7) 12       
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0

ROCHDALE MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)      
SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 3 
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 2
CORNERS: (0) 1
FOULS: (2) 5
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 1