Half time - Bury 0 Rochdale 0

4:00pm Saturday 26th April 2008

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ROCHDALE are down to 10 men in a pulsating local derby at Gigg Lane.

Nathan Stanton received his marching orders after a professional foul on Elliott Bennett on 29 minutes, but the Shakers are yet to make use of their numerical advantage.

Both sides have had excellent chances, and Bury could have been two goals to the good before Stanton's red card.

Glynn Hurst produced an excellent ball to free Andy Bishop on 13 minutes only for keeper Tommy Lee to block the 23-goal top-scorer's shot with his legs.

Lee then made an excellent double save from Richie Baker and Hurst after Dale had failed to clear Nicky Adams' deep cross. But almost instantly, Jim Provett had to be at his best at the other end to first palm away David Perkins' awkward shot and then block Chris Dagnall at point-blank range.

The crowd had to that point had little opportunity to see Bennett in full flow, but when Bishop cleverly switched play on 28 minutes, he flew past Kennedy and Gary Jones as if they were not there before drawing a rash challenge from Stanton.

Referee Michael Jones had no hesitation in showing the red card, but Bury didn't press home their advantage in the final 15 minutes of the half.

Shakers: Provett; Scott; Futcher; Haslam; Baker; Hurst; Bishop; Buchanan; Adams; Bennett; Sodje. Subs not used: Stephens; Rouse; Rooney; Anane; Belford.

Rochdale: Lee; Ramsden; Kennedy; Stanton; McCardle; Rundle; Jones; Perkins; Dagnall; Howe; Higginbotham (D'Laryea 31). Subs not used: Buckley; Le Fondre; Muirhead; Montrose.