Dale's fine home run came to an abrupt end at the hands of Accrington Stanley, as the Lancashire side picked up a 2-1 win at Spotland, the first time since 1956.

Keith Hill made just one enforced change from the side that started in the 2-0 win over Grimsby last week, with Dale Stephens coming in for the injured Gary Jones. The rest of the team stayed the same, meaning Kenny Arthur was between the sticks to face his former club. Rory McArdle started in the unusual spot of right-back, with Marcus Holness and Craig Dawson at centre half and Tom Kennedy at left-back. Stephens partnered Jason Kennedy, who captained the side in the absence of Gary Jones, in the middle of the park, whilst Simon Whaley and last week's goal-scorer Adam Rundle started on the flanks. Chris O'Grady and Chris Dagnall started up top.

The teams switched halves before the game, meaning Dale were attacking the Sandy Lane end in the first half. The Sandy half-appealed for a penalty to Dale inside the first few minutes when Simon Whaley went down under pressure from the Accrington defence. He managed to beat two players before tumbling inside the box, but the referee signalled for a goal kick.

The opening ten minutes were very scrappy, with neither side creating a real opportunity. However, it was Accrington who were first to cause any real trouble. A ball into the box was flicked on by Robert Grant into the path of Sean McConville. Kenny Arthur came for the ball but was beaten to it by McConville whose effort just crept wide of the far post, with the Accrington fans on the far side thinking they had taken the lead for a brief moment.

Dale had their first opportunity less than a minute later through captain for the day Jason Kennedy. Quick footwork from him in the middle of the park saw him break free of the Accrington midfield before he unleashed a left-foot shot from distance. Unfortunately for Dale's number seven Accrington 'keeper Ian Dunbavin dealt with is easily.

The game at Spotland was strangely quiet, as both teams were cancelling one another out. Dale were trying to build from the back, but Accrington's tight, well-drilled defence were carrying out their job well in keeping Dale at arm's length. Accrington were enjoying a good share of possession as the second half rolled on, with a succession of corners. They certainly showed they were going to be no pushovers and were causing Dale some problems.

As the clock ticked past half an hour, with Dale still struggling to test the Accrington defence, Simon Whaley tried a pot shot from distance. He picked up the ball midway into the Accrington half and carried it towards goal before releasing a right-footed drive which just drifted wide of Ian Dunbavin's left post.

With five minutes remaining in the half, Chris Dagnall was upended 25 yards from the Accrington goal. Free-kick duties fell to Tom Kennedy and his effort was a good one, although it was comfortable for Dunbavin in the end as he fell to his left to grab the ball.

Accrington had a good opportunity just a minute later through Sean McConville. He beat Rory McArdle down the Stanley left before trying to bend one over Kenny Arthur. However, the former Accrington player was comfortable as he plucked the ball out of the air with ease.

However, in the final minute of normal time in the first half Kenny Arthur was beaten as Stanley took the lead. They won a free-kick out on the left which was swung in by Sean McConville. It was a peach of a delivery which Robert Grant did well to beat his man and get his head to, placing the ball past Arthur and giving the away side the lead.

Two minutes were added, but the half ended at 1-0 to Accrington, leaving Keith Hill with some talking to do in the dressing room at the interval.

Dale were out a little earlier than usual for the second half, fresh from their team-talk with Keith Hill and Dave Flitcroft. With their words fresh in their ears, it may have been expected that Dale got at Accrington from the off, but it was the other way round. Accrington put Dale under early pressure as the home side tried to find their feet in the second half.

Ten minutes into the half, Dale had their best opportunity of the game. Chris Dagnall broke forward before playing Simon Whaley in on the right. He tried a cross shot that just evaded Dagnall at the back post and Adam Rundle couldn't divert it into the net from a tight angle, preserving Accrington 'keeper Ian Dunbavin's clean sheet.

Following this, Adam Rundle and Chris O'Grady were taken off, with Marcus Manga and Joe Thompson coming on.

Accrington had the next chance of the game and perhaps should have doubled their lead. Sean McConville stole the ball off Rory McArdle in the right-back slot and rolled the ball across the area to Robert Grant. He just had to direct his shot past Kenny Arthur, but the Scottish goalkeeper denied his former club with a fantastic save to his right to turn the ball around the post.

Marcus Manga's introduction seemed to give Dale a bit more energy and good work from him created Dale's next opportunity. He had the ball on the right flank before playing it to Joe Thompson. He had a shot which he managed to dig out of his feet and although it may have been going wide, the Accrington defender on the post made sure by clearing it to safety.

Scott Wiseman came on for Rory McArdle in a straight swap at right-back with 65 minutes played.

Stanley had another good opportunity when Michael Symes had a chance inside the box, but his shot was comfortably held by Kenny Arthur. Dale were reduced to ten men for a short while having used all of their substitutions. Craig Dawson picked up a head injury and had to be taken to have stitches on his cut by Andy Thorpe.

With Dale down to ten, Accrington looked to take advantage by doubling their lead, and that is exactly what they did, in spectacular fashion. Dale Stephens looked to have been pushed in midfield when he went up for a header with Andrew Proctor. The referee allowed play to continue and the ball bounced to Michael Symes who unleashed a rocket of a half volley towards goal. It was struck so sweetly that it dipped over Kenny Arthur who was only a few yards off his line and into the back of the net, doubling Stanley's lead.

If Dale were to get anything out of the game, they would need an almost instant response. Chris Dagnall worked well to win the ball on the edge of the Accrington area and after neat footwork from him he had a shot which was beat out by Ian Dunbavin before being cleared to safety.

As Dale pushed forward, they started to leave space at the back which Accrington were looking to exploit. They almost did in the best way possible by scoring a third goal, but Robert Grant took too long to take his shot in the area and Scott Wiseman eventually made a great challenge to prevent the away side scoring a third.

This was the case with 10 minutes of the game remaining too, as Accrington kept up the pressure which they had put on Dale throughout the game. Robert Grant played Billy Kee in down the left who sent through Michael Symes with his first touch. However, he couldn't replicate his first effort as he struck his shot straight at Kenny Arthur who turned the ball out for a corner.

Time was running out for Dale and Simon Whaley wanted to speed things up and get a goal back, but his rushed shot on the edge of the area flew high over the crossbar. He had another effort a minute later when he shot through legs. It took a deflection into the path of Jason Kennedy, but it hit him and caught him off guard before rolling agonisingly wide of the post.

As the fourth official held up his board indicating there would be six minutes of added time, Chris Dagnall pulled a goal back. The ball was fed into his feet on the edge of the box before he turned and struck a great shot low into Ian Dunbavin's bottom left corner. It was another great goal in a game of many chances, and set up an exciting finish as Dale looked to draw level very late on.

However, Dale couldn't take advantage of the time added and the game ended at 2-1 to Accrington. It was an exciting finish, but Accrington will be pleased with their performance and even more pleased with the three points. For Keith Hill, he will have a job to pick his players up for the trip to Bournemouth next week, as Dale will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Dale: Arthur, McArdle, Dawson, Holness, T Kennedy, Stephens, J Kennedy, Whaley, Rundle, O'Grady Dagnall.

Accrington: Dunbavin, Kempson, Proctor, Joyce, Grant, Edwards, Ryan, Winnard, McConville, Symes, Lees.

Referee: Mr RJ Booth. Assistant Referees: Mr P Norris & Mr C Akers. Fourth Official: Mr PR Marsden.

Attendance: 3,206.