Hill blasts officials after draw

Dale were leading 2-1 deep into added time when Garry Thompson netted from close range, despite Dale appealing to referee Scott Mathieson for offside against two Magpies players.

"The players have done their jobs," said Hill. "We all expect the officials to do their jobs and they haven't done.

"It was as clear as day that they had two players offside but for whatever reason the referee and the linesman has not given it. The linesman was suggesting the two players were offside but the referee said the ball has come off one of our players.

"It's not our fault we haven't won that game - we can only do what we did Hiand expect the officials to officiate appropriately and unfortunately we have fallen foul of bad decisions from the referee and it's happening far too often."

The Magpies took the lead after 42 minutes when Mike Edwards met Elliott Whitehouse's near-post delivery and volleyed beyond substitute goalkeeper Josh Lillis, who replaced Conrad Logan just four minutes in.

But Hill's men were quick out of the blocks after the interval, with Ian Henderson converting within seconds of the restart after good work from Michael Rose and Stephen Dawson.

Notts goalkeeper Roy Carroll pulled off a great save to deny Peter Vincenti when he met Rose's corner with a firm header but he was powerless after 64 minutes when Vincenti met Done's cross and headed into the roof of the net.

Dale looked on course for victory and a move up to fifth in the table - until Thompson's late leveller.

"It's the first time I can honestly say that wasn't good enough," said Magpies manager Shaun Derry.

"In the first half we competed really well, as did Rochdale. It was a tight game and in the first real quality period of the game we got a goal and went into the second half with a game plan. That was thrown out of the window within seconds and they had the ascendency and they pushed players in the right areas while we didn't use the ball well at all.

"But we worked until the very end and that typified us. I've not seen the goal so I can't comment on that, I'm just delighted it went in.

"I don't really care how upset the Rochdale fans were, I only care about us and I'm chuffed. Emotions run high and there were times we were getting absolutely battered by the fans behind us and it was just nice to say 'I'm pleased with our goal.'

"For that final passage of play we kept the ball alive really well, got a goal and walked away with a point. I know Keith Hill will be really upset by the manner in which our second goal was scored but I'm really delighted our unbeaten run is still going."