IF, as Peter Jackson said "Every game is like a Cup final," then Town will come away from this final bitterly disappointed that they didn't perform on the night.

Town were frustrated constantly by a well organised Rochdale team, who will be elated with a point, which may prove critical to both sides come the curtain call, but for different reasons.

All of the early pressure came from Town, and while they lacked the fluidity of recent weeks, they still seemed capable of breaking down a bolshie Rochdale back line.

The best chance in the opening quarter fell to Andy Booth.

From a Schofield corner he bulleted a free header high, wide and not so handsome from six yards when it seemed easier to score.

After Town had had sporadic pressure without really penetrating in the first half hour, Rochdale took the lead on 38 minutes.

The debutant loan signing from Manchester City, Flood, showed all his Premiership quality, by bamboozling Scott on a flowing and meandering run down the right, before finding Bertos at the edge of the area, who was able to take aim and fire a crisp low shot in the corner of the net.

As the Rochdale players were still spitting out the pips from their half time oranges Town equalised with the best move of the match.

Patient play down the right and good inter-passing between Abbott and Worthington, found Holdsworth with time and space to line up a teasing cross which found Lloyd making a Scholes-like late run into the box who caressed his header low down into the bottom corner of the Rochdale goal giving Edwards no chance.

Town continued to press to seek all three points and shortly afterwards a pillaging run from Abbott forced the Dale keeper into a good save.

Town's best chance to take the lead again fell to Abbott, after doing all the hard work inside the box, he blasted a thunderbolt which only troubled the net fastenings.

Further late chances fell to Booth and possibly the best one to young McAliskey, but again the scorers weren't troubled.

The game fizzled out with Town still huffing and puffing but unable to blow the Dale house down.

Two points dropped or one point gained?

Glass half full or half empty?

Ask me again at 4.50pm on May 8th!