Joy turns to despair for Coleman’s Dale

ANDY Butler’s late, late header denied Rochdale a much-needed victory as Walsall drew 3-3 and delivered a psychological hammer blow to John Coleman’s men.

Trailing their relegation-fight rivals 2-0 after an hour, Dale mounted a thrilling comeback with Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and a penalty from Michael Symes pulling them level.

And when Akpa Akpro volleyed his second three minutes into stoppage time, Spotland erupted in celebration.

But with home supporters still cheering the Frenchman’s seemingly decisive strike, Mat Sadler’s hopeful punt upfield was headed over Dave Lucas and into the net to leave the crowed in stunned silence.

The full version of this story is in tonight’s Chronicle and in the eChron and iChron electronic editions.