Home advantage secured for Dale in play-offs

JIM McNulty's Rochdale will enjoy home advantage when the National League play-offs begin later this month.

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

A 1-0 win at Solihull Moors on Tuesday guaranteed Dale a fourth-place finish, regardless of Bank Holiday Monday's outcome at Braintree in the final game of the regular season.

Ian Henderson's 14th goal of the season secured victory for the visitors and they will entertain the team finishing seventh on Thursday 18th May at the Crown Oil Arena - that could be any one from Oldham Athletic, Halifax Town, Southend United or Gateshead, depending on Monday's results.

Dale head to Braintree free from pressure thanks to an outstanding display in midweek.

"The performances recently in terms of the goal tally bode well," said McNulty. "The team's in a good rhythm and they just continued it tonight, they were brilliant.

"They were absolutely brilliant, they played with a freedom as if the importance and magnitude of the finishing position didn't actually exist. I thought the performance was outstanding, we completely dominated the game.

"If the game had finished 5-0, honestly, I'd say it was fair. We had devastating moments.