The Glovers suffered their second consecutive defeat, falling 1-0 to Rochdale at Huish Park. A strike from Connor McBride in second-half injury time secured all three points for the visitors.

There were several changes to the side that started against Gateshead, with Charlie Cooper, Raphael Araoye, and Jordan Young named in the starting lineup.

The Glovers started strongly, with Aaron Jarvis breaking down the left and cutting the ball back to Frank Nouble, who laid it off to Charlie Cooper. Cooper’s shot forced a good low save from Luke McNicholas. The attack continued as Josh Sims flicked a cross towards Jarvis, who headed goalwards, but the effort was cleared off the line.

Another opportunity came just before the half-hour mark. Brett McGavin’s corner found Morgan Williams at the near post, but his glancing header went just wide of the far post. The Glovers almost took the lead in bizarre fashion when McNicholas, after receiving a back pass, clipped the ball forward, only to find Jordan Young’s head. Unaware, Young inadvertently directed the ball towards goal, forcing McNicholas to scramble back and narrowly keep it out.

Rochdale’s best chance of the first half came just before the break, with Kairo Mitchell controlling a pass from the left and shooting towards the far corner, only to see his effort sail just over the crossbar.

At half-time, Rochdale made a couple of changes, with Connor McBride and Toby Adebayo-Rowling replacing Finlay Armstrong and former Glover Courtney Senior.

Despite Rochdale’s changes, the Glovers had the first chance after the interval. Frank Nouble found space on the right and crossed to Jarvis, whose shot went just wide of the near post. Moments later, Jarvis turned provider, flicking the ball into Brett McGavin’s path, but McGavin’s shot was well over the bar.

Manager Mark Cooper then made some substitutions, bringing on Sam Pearson and Harvey Greenslade for Jordan Young and Josh Sims. Greenslade made an immediate impact, creating a chance by recovering a loose ball from a free kick and clipping it towards the back post, but Rochdale’s defence cleared. The resulting corner was flicked goalwards by Jarvis, but it was again scrambled clear. Michael Smith was next to make way for the Glovers, replaced by Matt Worthington.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, Rochdale began to gain momentum. Aaron Henly’s shot from range was deflected narrowly over on 73 minutes, and Ollie Wright was soon called into action to deny Sam Beckwith with a low stop. The Glovers then made two more substitutions, with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton replacing Charlie Cooper and Morgan Williams forced off by injury, making way for Finn Cousin-Dawson after a clash with Ian Henderson.

Rochdale’s pressure finally paid off in injury time. Gordon brought the ball down the right wing and played it inside to Connor McBride, who had space to turn and shoot. His low drive was unstoppable, beating Ollie Wright and finding the far corner.

With just six of the minimum seven additional minutes remaining, the Glovers were unable to find an equaliser. Their best chance came from an Aaron Henry free kick, which was tipped over the bar by Wright. This marked a second consecutive defeat for the Glovers, who will aim to return to winning ways when they travel to Boston United on Saturday.