Martin Wild speaks to Town's David Hunt and Rochdale manager Keith Hill for their reactions to the 4-3 defeat.

The disappointment of yesterday's defeat was etched all over the face of Town midfielder David Hunt who looked like he'd salvaged a point with a rasping free-kick two minutes from time to make it 3-3.

"Even though I scored, I would have traded it for a win, so really my goal means nothing to me, I'm absolutely gutted," he said. "That's football for you though, we've paid the price for not doing our jobs right.

"They've been 1-0 down and 2-1 down but you have to give credit to them for coming back like they did especially away. But you have to keep in the back of your head and remember that when we go to Rochdale we've got to get one over on them."

Hunt, like most of the healthy 6262 crowd present, was shocked at the way Town's mean defence had shipped goals in such sloppy fashion against the Lancastrians.

"To concede four goals especially at home needs to be addressed and we will get it right. For the neutral it must have been a great game to watch I should imagine but for us we're all absolutely devastated and it's put me on a real downer."

It was suggested to Hunt that possibly the introduction of Adam Le Fondre at half-time had helped swing the game in Rochdale's favour.

"You could say anything changed the game really, but second half they got the balls into the box and scored from their crosses so hats off to them they're more than happy. We have to take a long look in the mirror and hold our hands up to the mistakes we've made out there today.

With games coming thick and fast, the Shrews midfielder was glad of a chance to make amends so quickly, after surrendering their proud 100% home record to a side who hadn't recorded an away victory until yesterday.

"Luckily we've got only two days until our next game which helps get this one out of the system but at the same time we have to make sure we do it right. The lads are absolutely devastated and it's something we want to address straight away."

Keith Hill, manager of Rochdale, was proud of his side's efforts at the new stadium, after a topsy-turvy game saw his patched up side emerge victorious by the odd goal in seven.

"We've got bags of heart and what you saw out there was us down to the bare bones. We felt at half-time that it was unjust we'd come in 1-0 down. We had to make a change with Crooksy (Lee Crooks) having to come off with an injury. The game plan had worked to perfection. We tried to stop them (Town) getting too many set plays as we know how dangerous they are with them. We did concede unfortunately from a set play but when you look at the possession count we had the best of the first half. It's our best performance of the season with respect to retaining and maintaining possession.

"Although we didn't create much in terms of chances first half we did have one glorious opportunity when Glenn Murray was through on goal. We had a lot of belief in the dressing room that we could turn it around and win the game. We didn't expect it to be 4-3, we thought maybe 2-1 but what a great start we made to the half scoring straight from the whistle."

Hill was fulsome in his praise of substitute Kallum Higginbotham who epitomized the team spirit that Hill has clearly instilled into his men who he referred to constantly throughout his interview as "family."

"Kallum is a hundred pounds a week player," he said. "For him to come on and basically take the game by the scruff of the neck is all credit to him. We have to be patient with him and use him in a cameo role like we have done. He's got a great future in the game but we have to be patient with him.

"We're down to 14 fit players so we've got a lot of work to do ahead of Tuesday's trip to Darlington. I think Adam Le Fondre came on to make an impact. He knew the game plan we went with -looking not to concede in the opening 45 minutes- and he was wholly supportive of that and took my decision to put him on the bench like a man. He's one of us, he's in the circle of trust if you like, he's one of the family."

Hill was looking forward to the trip up to the North East where Dale secured a 5-0 success last season and said that stadia like Darlington and Shrewsbury brought the best out of his players.

"It's a great place to go and play football like this one is as well. The pitch is superb, it's a super stadium, it's an enjoyable place to play your football like we've shown today, the only negative is the number of injuries we've got. I'm so encouraged by the performance though, and we'd like to dedicate that victory to striker Chris Dagnall who will be sorely missed as a member of our family."