Dawson has scored twice for Rochdale this season

Rochdale boss Keith Hill has praised the form of centre-half Craig Dawson after his side moved into fifth place in League Two after beating Hereford.

Dale have taken 10 points from their last four league matches with the young defender scoring in Saturday's 4-1 win.

Hill told BBC Radio Manchester: "He wasn't a first-team starter at the beginning of the season but he is now.

"He's been given the opportunity and he's taken it. He's outstanding, not just as a prospect but as a person."

He added: "We've got to be patient with him. He's a prospect. Last season he was playing men's football - and I mean real men's football - playing for Radcliffe Borough.

"From being a young kid he fell out of the football tree I suppose and went into non-league.

"But it's given him a good grounding. We've selected him from that non-league scenario and we've really done a lot of work - the coaching team, the other players and himself.

"He's endeavoured to be a better prospect than he was."

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