Carlisle United v Rochdale, 09 September 2000

Rochdale recovered from their midweek 6-1 Worthington Cup drubbing at Blackburn Rovers to resume their encouraging start to the League campaign while Carlisle got a taste of their own recent medicine. United had snatched points with late goals in three of their five 2000/01 League games but this one was settled in Rochdale's favour three minutes in to stoppage time. Lee Todd's left-footed free kick from over 20 yards out on the right found the far bottom corner. Not only was it his first goal since joining Dale from Bradford in the summer, it was only the fifth of his ten year career and first since he netted for Stockport County against Blackpool in April 1995. Rochdale had taken the lead through a more familiar source. Big Clive Platt - reported to be attracting interest from Manchester City - got in between three defenders to head home Dave Bayliss' left wing corner from six yards. The Cumbrians' Ian Stevens continued his recent vein of form to net his fourth of the new term to bring battling United level. From a well rehearsed corner routine, the ex-Bury striker converted from virtually under the bar from Tony Hemmings' inswinger from the right. Manager Ian Atkins managed to hide his final whistle disappointment. He pointed out that his new team still needed time to gel compared to the settled Rochdale ranks.