Dean’s beano

BATTLE WOUND: Mat Sadler.

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DEAN Holden’s design for a Rochdale rout was played out perfectly as Athletic emphatically stooped the rot last night.

Rhys Turner’s double and one 0from Jonathan Forte helped Athletic to a second 3-0 win this season over in-form Dale at a raucous SportsDirect.com Park - ending a run of four losses in front of the team’s own faithful.

Holden knew his side needed to begin quickly and maintain the pace to win - and that is exactly what they managed to do, out-foxing and out-fighting opponents who were so hit by injuries that all three substitutions were made in the opening 45 minutes.

“We knew there would be a good atmosphere and it was important we started well to get the crowd behind us,” said Holden, whose side is now 11th in the table, four points away from the top six.

“The lads did that. It is the one game the fans look forward to most and to win both fixtures 3-0 is very satisfying. Fair play to the lads. They are in good form at the moment and it has been a great four days for us.

“It is very important now that we recover properly and get ready for a big game at Bradford. It will be a big crowd again there and we are really looking forward to that one already.”

Athletic right-back Connor Brown was booked after celebrating Forte’s goal with a word in the ear of Dale captain Ian Henderson. Brown was later substituted.

The alleged antics of Athletic's players irked Holden’s opposite number Keith Hill, but as far as Holden was concerned, Henderson gave out his fair share on the night, too.

“Connor likes to be the panto villain at times. He can sometimes bring problems on himself by getting too involved,” said Holden of his right-back.

“There was a little bit of naughtiness going on, if I am honest. He was booked for unsporting conduct when there were four or five occasions from the same player on their team when he never ever got a talking to. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Joel Coleman was trusted to keep his spot despite the return to fitness of on-loan Blackburn Rovers stopper Jake Kean. He responded by keeping another clean sheet.

Holden added: “He is a great lad and a great worker behind the scenes. That is the reason he is getting his chance now. I was quite happy to out him in again. I trust him.”