Hill backs keeper Lee

Dale chief charitable in his post-match appraisal

Last updated: 10th May 2008

Keith Hill Rochdale

Hill: Remains upbeat

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Rochdale boss Keith Hill absolved his goalkeeper Tommy Lee of any blame for his side's defeat in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg at Darlington.

In injury time, with the game delicately poised at 1-1, Lee raced off his line but was beaten to the ball by the head of Darlington defender Ian Miller.

The substitute's last-gasp intervention came after Dale striker Chris Dagnall had cancelled out Jason Kennedy's sublime first-half opener.

Hill, however, insists the tie is still wide open and jumped to the defence of

Lee.

"I'm not despondent in any way, shape or form - it's still a tight game,"

Hill said.

"It was a definite mistake by Tommy, but he's done really well for us since he's been on loan from Macclesfield.

"He's [Miller] scored, so it's job done. There's not an awful lot in it. One goal isn't much of a margin.

"To go to our place 2-1 down, I'm still encouraged. We're more than capable of scoring goals at our place."