FC Halifax Town were held to a 2-2 draw against Rochdale in an exciting cross penine derby at the Shay in front of 3547 fans, with goals coming from Aaron Cosgrave and Jamie Stott.
In the first major chance of the game for either side, Ian Henderson scored the first goal of the game for Rochdale in the 19th minute, he converted from a few yards out after a pass headed downwards from Tyrese Sinclair for a right footed finish.
Minutes later however, the Shaymen found themselves on a few good counters, winning multiple corners. Milli Alli nearly found the net for Town with a good header goalwards, forcing Moulden to make a big save for Rochdale.
Cameron John was given the first yellow card of the game for Rochdale 26 minutes in after a foul on Millenic Alli.
Town found an equaliser in the thirty first minute, with a great long ball from Jordan Keane finding Max Wright running down the right wing, with Wright playing a simple pass to Aaron Cosgrave in the box for an easy tap in for the Shaymen, for his second of the season.
The Shaymen were given a penalty in the 33rd minute, after Milli Alli played Max Wright through on goal, who was brought down in the box by Moulden, who received a yellow card for the challenge.
Jamie Stott stepped up to take the penalty, and converted for his first of the season with a left footed shot down the middle, sending Moulden the wrong way, making it 2-1 to Town after thirty six minutes. Milli Alli received a yellow card after the celebrations.
Rochdale had one final corner of the first half before the referee blew the half time whistle, Town leading 2-1 going into the second half.
Town started the second half well, having a few decent efforts going forwards, and keeping a lot of the possession.
In the 55th minute, Town made their first substitution, Jamie Cooke being brought on to replace Aaron Cosgrave.
Jimmy Keohane found an equaliser for Rochdale in the 68th minute, passing the Town defense and cutting onto his left foot in the box to slot past Johnson to make the score 2-2 late into the game.
Jamie Cooke had a massive chance for Town in the 72nd minute, finding himself through with an effort on an open goal but unable to convert under the pressure of the Rochdale defender and goalkeeper.
Moments later, Ian Henderson hit the post for Rochdale in a big chance for the visitors.
Nerves were high going into the final ten minutes of the game, with the game looking like it could go either way after a cagey affair.
Tylor Golden was booked in the 80th minute for a foul. Minutes later, Milli Alli went down in the box for Town, with many fans appealing for a penalty, but the appeals being waved off by the referee.
Town made a substitution in the 83rd with Ryan Galvin being replaced by Angelo Capello.
There was some late drama in the final minute of normal time with Milli Alli finding Jack Hunter in the box, with his shot being so near to being over the line, but Moulden somehow keeping the ball out for Rochdale.
Former Town player Harvey Gilmour was given a yellow card for a foul in extra time, and soon after the full time whistle was blown, with Town being held to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining game at the Shay.
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson, 16 Jordan Keane, 3 Ryan Galvin (7 Angelo Cappello 83) 2 Tylor Golden, 6 Jamie Stott, 5 Adam Senior, 8 Jack Hunter, 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers, 17 Max Wright (22 Andrew Oluwabori 83) 11 Millenic Alli, 19 Aaron Cosgrave (10 Jamie Cooke 55)
Subs: 18 Florent Hoti, 21 Tom Wilson
Rochdale
1 Louie Moulden, 3 Cameron John, 4 Ryan East, 6 Ethan Ebanks-Landell ©, 7 Tyrese Sinclair, 11 Jeserun Uchegbulam, 13 Jimmy Keohane, 15 George Nevett, 20 Havey Gilmour, 23 Finlay Armstrong, 40 Ian Henderson
Subs: 5 Max Taylor, 16 Kwaku Oduroh, 17 Michael Afuye, 43 Corey Edwards, 49 Isaac Burgess
Referee: Aji Ajibola
Goals Henderson 19, Cosgrave 31, Stott (35 pen), Keohane 68
Yellow Cards: John 26, Moulden 34, Alli 36, Golden 80, Gilmour 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 3547 (1348 Away)
FC Halifax Town 2 Rochdale 2
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