ROCHDALE may have stopped the rot but boss Jim Bentley wants to see them do better in key moments.

Dale arrive at Valley Parade having won only once since mid-October - a slump that has seen them drop into the relegation zone three points ahead of bottom club Gillingham.

Back-to-back draws against Barrow and Newport at least ended a five-game losing run although Bentley knows his side must do more to drag themselves away from danger.

He told the club website: “We’re not in a healthy position and there has to be concern, but there can’t be panic at this present moment. There are 22 games left to play.

“We’ve got to do better in the key moments. We’ve got to be more robust, defend our box better, make better decisions and make sure we don’t give teams opportunities to gain momentum.

“If we can do that it gives us a foundation to go up the other end and create opportunities to score goals and win games.

“We asked questions of Newport but it wasn’t to be. We need three points, but we’ve got a point, and we’ll pick the bones out of it and go again on Tuesday.”

Rochdale’s last victory was on November 8 - a 1-0 home win over Salford. They were last successful on the road at Newport in early October.

Dale have been boosted by the return of midfielder Liam Kelly after two months out of action.

“No one wants a relegation on their CV as a footballer or a member of staff,” he said.

“It would probably be the worst thing possible for the club to go down. It’s on ourselves, the players and staff we have in the building, to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“It doesn’t affect just us, it affects people that work at the club and the community etc, it’s their livelihoods. If you speak to every player, they’re determined for it not to happen.

“Hopefully one win can change it around. We’ve been all right away from home."