Last-gasp pain in the Midlands

BETFRED LEAGUE 1

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ROCHDALE Hornets fell to an agonising defeat at the hands of Midlands Hurricanes in the latest round of Betfred League 1 action.

In a game which ebbed and flowed throughout at Alexander Stadium, the Hornets lost ground in the race for the top four, despite rallying from 16 points behind early in the second half.

The Hornets were coming into the game after three weeks off following their last-gasp defeat in Keighley and were eager to avenge that loss against one of the top teams in the competition.

It was Midlands who had the better of the opening exchanges, but resolute defence from the Hornets kept the hosts at bay on a number of occasions in the first 20 minutes.

The game opened up as the half progressed and became end-to-end. The visitors had fleeting moments in the Hurricanes half in the early stages and almost got over the line in their first real attack of the game, but couldn’t take advantage of their good field position after a repeat set.

The deadlock was broken after 25 minutes with Ryan Johnson diving over in the corner to open the scoring after a sustained period of pressure on the Rochdale line.