Dale bounced back in the perfect way after last weekend's disappointing defeat at Bournemouth with a comfortable victory over Port Vale, and never really had to get out of second gear to wrap up all three points.
It was clear from the first whistle that the visitors Port Vale had nothing to play for, with Dale looking the livelier and more urgent of the two teams throughout the course of the game.
There were positives for manager Keith Hill and the Dale supporters to take away, most importantly three points and despite not playing some of their best football of the season, comfortably securing a much needed win. Other highlights included fantastic individual performances from the tireless Chris Dagnall and the assuring Tom Kennedy at left back.
It was all change for manager Keith Hill after the disappointment on the south coast. Joe Thompson, Adam Rundle and Mark Jones were all left out of the starting line-up, whilst Scott Wiseman and Lee Thorpe missed out through injury. Clark Keltie returned from suspension, with Will Buckley, Marcus Holness and Kallum Higginbotham coming into the starting line-up.
Kennedy came close early on from a free-kick. Dagnall's quick and clever feet drew a foul from the Vale defence and Kennedy's left-foot effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
Dale continued to press for the opening goal early on and Dagnall was at the centre of the action yet again. Rory McArdle, commanding throughout, lofted a ball over the top of the visitor's defence for Dagnall to race on to, but he could only fire across the face of goal.
Port Vale offered nothing going forward and the only way they would trouble the Rochdale defence would be from a set piece. John McCombe saw his header hit the frame of the Frank Fielding's goal after Paul Marshall's corner was directed back across goal by Robert Taylor.
Dale were dealt an injury blow midway through the first-half, Higginbotham hobbling off with a knee injury after a clash with a visiting defender.
The only goal of the game came just before the interval. Dagnall yet again was at the heart of the move, receiving the ball from a quick throw before wriggling away from the visiting defenders and firing across the face of goal for Will Buckley to tap in from close range, for his 11th goal of the season. On the balance of play it was no more then Dale deserved, as they controlled the game, weaving pretty patterns around opposing players.
The second period was a less lively affair, with the visitors offering little going forward, Dale comfortably controlled the game.
One moment of note for Dale fans in the second-half was seeing Gary Madine, on-loan from Carlisle, make his debut, as he replaced Alfie Le Fondre 15 minutes from time.
Dagnall continued to work tirelessly and he was denied a goal his performance deserved in stoppage time when he found space in the channel, only to be denied by a great save from Chris Martin in the Port Vale goal.
All-in-all the three points were more important then the performance and that is what Dale fans got to keep up hopes of automatic promotion.
Daniel Houlker
Dale:-
Fielding, Ramsden, Holness, McArdle,Kennedy, Buckley, Toner (M) Keltie, Higginbotham, Le Fondre, Dagnall
Subs:- Thompson, Madine, Rundle, Wiseman, Newey
Port Vale:-
Martin, Stockley, McCombe, Collins, Edwards, Howland, Brammer, Marshall, Taylor , Dodds, Lawrie.
Subs : Weston, Thompson, Glover, Griffith,Richman.
Officials:-
Referee:- Mr A Haines
Assistants:- G Hilton and A R Holmes
4th Official:- A H Greenwood
