A late equaliser from Finley Axcell cancelled out an early opener for Rochdale at Play Lane as the points were shared in Greater Manchester.

The hosts dominated the first-half, opening the scoring on 15 minutes when their winger broke free down the left and squared it into the box for a close-range finish to give them the lead.

Town were handed a lifeline in the first 45, being awarded a penalty as the perfect chance to level the score, but the Mariners’ spot-kick frustratingly headed off target.

The Mariners were much more in control in the second-half and went very close to levelling when Jack Collins’ effort was saved.

Henry Brown also came close not long after, racing clear of a Rochdale defender, only for his strike to ricochet off the post.

Town found an equaliser late on. Callum Storr’s header from a corner fell to the feet of Finley Axcell who turned it into the back of the net to see the points shared away from home.

The Mariners are next in action this Saturday at home to Rotherham in an 11am kick-off at Cheapside.

Town: Auton, Axcell, Graham, Foy (Onoh, 60), Storr, Shipstone, Smith (Blankley, 46), Brown, Midwinter (Hatton, 46), Collins (Rennardson, 60)

Unused subs: Rodgers