Rochdale boss Keith Hill refuses to blame Josh Lillis for costly error
Posted Sunday, April 22, 2018 by PA
Rochdale manager Keith Hill insists goalkeeper Josh Lillis will be forgiven for his last-minute howler in the 1-1 draw against Bradford at Spotland.
Dale looked on course for a victory which would have lifted them out of the League One relegation zone for the first time since mid-December.
Matt Done’s goal at the end of a first half dominated by the home side separated the teams until Lillis dropped Stephen Warnock’s cross to the feet of striker Charlie Wyke, who seized on the gift to slot home the leveller.
“Of course it’s disappointing but we have to support Josh because he’s been marvellous,” said Hill, whose side are one point from safety.
“I will always support players who are brave – he tried to come for the ball but it was a basic mistake that he’s made. If anything he was probably too comfortable with the cross.
“There was no contact with Josh, it was just one of those where you take your eye off the ball and it’s in the back of the net.
“I don’t know what the outcome of the season will be – we have three games left and it’s all to play for.
“But I can’t get inside the brains of the players individually – sometimes it’s stress, sometimes it’s a negative energy, but they are feeling a little bit of the pressure because they understand that we are in a position where we can get relegated.
“But I believe you have to embrace it, there should be no fear, no ‘if only.’ We have to pick the players up, because they have hit the deck, and go again on Tuesday against Plymouth.”
Bradford goalkeeper Colin Doyle kept out Joe Thompson’s shot and prevented Romain Vincelot putting the ball in his own net during a one-sided first half.
Done’s goal came in the 41st minute when he picked up Brad Inman’s nod down and struck wide of Doyle.
The Bantams went close at the end of the opening period when Wyke poked wide and they improved after the interval without ever threatening Lillis’ goal.
That was until the 89th minute and the Dale keeper’s horrific slip-up.
“The big thing from the players was they didn’t give up,” said Bradford boss Simon Grayson.
“I was pleased with the attitude they showed and pleased with the fact they didn’t let the supporters down.
“You get games towards the end of the season where you are a goal down away from home and they give up and accept a 1-0 defeat. But we didn’t, we kept going and I felt we deserved a draw on the strength of that.
“I thought Charlie earned his goal because he’s always first to react. They were probably slightly better than us in the first half and got the goal. The biggest problem for us in the first half was our retention of the ball – we kept giving it away too easily.”
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