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Rochdale 2 - Leeds 0: Ian Henderson’s joy at a spot of magic
Ian Henderson completed Leeds’ humiliation with a goal that would have graced the Wembley final to repay Keith Hill’s faith.
Rochdale’s boss watched with the 8,225 crowd at Spotland as the ex-Norwich man, 28, hit a brilliant cushioned side-footed volley into the top corner.
Henderson said: “I scored a better goal away at Cheltenham but nobody saw that one! I had a lot of time to think and saw Paddy Kenny off his line. You train all your career for magic moments like that.”
Henderson took Hill’s call a fortnight after being released by Colchester. He has also impressed the Scotland boss, Gordon Strachan, who helped pick his strike as ITV’s goal of the day, noting his eligibility.
Dale’s top scorer Scott Hogan had put the skids under stale Leeds with a superb headed opener.
Leeds manager Brian McDermott, anxious for January signings, said: “That is probably the worst moment I’ve ever had in football. We’re desperately sorry for that performance, but I will use that as a driver.”
Rochdale: Lillis; Bennett, Lancashire, O’Connell, Done, Lund, Cavanagh, Henderson, Vincenti, Hogan, Bunney (Cummins 72). Booked: Done, Bunney, Cavanagh.Goals: Hogan 45, Henderson 84.
Leeds: Kenny; Wootton (Hunt 76), Zaliukas, Pearce, Peltier (Poleon 85), Austin, Murphy, Pugh, Byram, Smith, McCormack. Booked: Pearce, Pugh.
Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).