The BURKS

Danny Lloyd struck as bottom-of-the-table Rochdale picked up a precious win over AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane.

Lloyd's strike moved Rochdale within eight points of third-bottom Crawley with seven games left to play in League Two.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes, Armani Little had the first real attempt on goal for the hosts when he capitalised on a defensive mistake but failed to hit the target from 15 yards.

And there was no real test for either goalkeeper until the half-hour mark, Will Nightingale's header comfortably dealt with by Rochdale's Richard O'Donnell.

Jack Currie nearly scored for the hosts on the hour mark with a fierce volley that was deflected over, but four minutes later the visitors struck with perhaps their first clear opportunity.

On the break, Lloyd cut inside and his sweetly-struck low effort from the edge of the penalty box flew past goalkeeper Nathan Broome.

The hosts pressed late on for an equaliser, but could not find the required moment of magic as the Dale held on for a much-needed win.

Dale Lineup

1. Richard O'Donnell
13. Jimmy Keohane
5. Max Taylor
6. Ethan Ebanks-Landell
22. Owen Dodgson
25. Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick (Scott Quigley)
7. Liam Kelly
14. Ethan Brierley
9. D'Mani Mellor (Sam Graham)
11, Abraham Odoh
40. Ian Henderson