Dale sprung a massive surprise at the hands of Southampton as they picked up a sensational 2-0 victory on the south coast.
The first half was one that the home side had the better of, but for all their possession they couldn't create any clear goal-scoring opportunities, with Josh Lillis having to make simple saves.
Dale would have been happy to go into the break all square, but in added time a top drawer counter attack saw them go ahead, with Chris O'Grady finishing off Gary Jones' bursting run and well timed pass to put Keith Hill's side ahead at the break.
The expectant home fans were willing their side to get straight back into the game in the second half, but Dale held strong defensively as Saints couldn't break through.
But Dale were also showing positive signs going forward, and half way through the second period Gary Jones fired home a thunderbolt to send his side on their way to a fantastic result.
Dale were able to see out the rest of the game comfortably as Keith Hill masterminded yet another memorable victory for his Rochdale side.
Keith Hill named the same side that started in the win at Brentford last Saturday. That meant there were six changes from Tuesday's JPT defeat at Port Vale. Josh Lillis started in goal, with Scott Wiseman, Craig Dawson, Marcus Holness and Joe Widdowson making up the back four. Jason Kennedy returned from his suspension to partner Brian Barry-Murphy and Captain Gary Jones in midfield, with Chris O'Grady, Andrew Tutte and Anthony Elding playing up top. Former Dale favourite Rickie Lambert started for Saints up front.
St. Mary's is certainly a Premiership standard stadium and most of these Dale players will not have been used to playing in such an arena and atmosphere, but that didn't stop Scott Wiseman charging forward with a fine run as he looked to continue his fine start to the season.
However, the opening ten minutes were dominated by the home side as they looked to pick up where they left off from their 4-0 win at Bristol Rovers last Saturday. They were controlling possession, but the Dale defence was holding firm and not allowing any clear cut opportunities. David Connolly came closest for Southampton in the 18th minute when a Rickie Lambert header looped to him on the volley, but his effort flew wide of Josh Lillis' right post.
But with 20 minutes played Dale showed they can also keep the ball well, and Gary Jones almost opened the scoring with a fine effort after a good move. Chris O'Grady had the ball on the right and played it square to Jones, with his left foot effort forcing a fine save from Kelvin Davies.
Josh Lillis had to be alert at the other end a minute later when Dean Hammond drove a shot straight at him, with the Dale 'keeper showing strong hands to kill the ball and keep out the home Captain.
Lillis had to be on form again in the 38th minute, when a searching Lambert ball found Jason Puncheon on the left. He cut in onto his right foot and shot at the near post, with the Dale stopper palming the effort round the post.
Southampton were always looking the more likely to score out of the two teams, but when you're on top you have to take your chances or else you get punished, and in the one minute of added time that was what Dale did.
Scott Wiseman won the ball in defence and played it to Gary Jones in his own half. Jones still had most of the pitch to run, but he did so with support from Chris O'Grady and Anthony Elding, before playing the ball to O'Grady on his left. The Dale striker took his time and placed a finish underneath Kelvin Davies to give Dale a surprise lead, but one that sent the 539 travelling supporters wild.
It was a devastating counter attack from Dale which showed their prowess going forward. It also brought an end to the half and the home side will have felt disappointed to go in behind, but for Keith Hill and his men it was the perfect way to finish.
A similar start to the second half for Dale would have been the perfect way to get underway, but most of the travelling support would have settled for a half of little action as they tried to spur their side on to a famous victory.
The opening five minutes of the half were quiet, but in the 51st minute Southampton should have drawn level. David Connolly nodded down a Rickie Lambert cross into the path of Jason Puncheon, but his shot from inside six yards flew horribly over the bar.
Within a minute of that glaring miss Dale could have been two up due to a piece of good fortune. Chris O'Grady crossed from the left for Anthony Elding, but the ball missed Elding and Aaron Martin sliced a clearance over Kelvin Davies and just wide of his post for a goal kick. It was a let-off at either end as both sides looked to go forward.
Dale centre-back Craig Dawson has had an outstanding last year and has thoroughly earned his move to Premiership side West Bromwich Albion, and he was showing his ability on the pitch as well as his commitment to the Dale cause. Morgan Schneiderlin hit a powerful effort which looked to be on target before Dawson stuck his head in the way to clear, receiving a huge blow which sunk him to the ground in the process.
Another man who will always put his head where it hurts for Dale is Gary Jones. The Dale Captain has had a fine start to the season in front of goal, and that continued in the 68th minute when he fired home a beauty from 25 yards out to double Dale's lead. Anthony Elding found the ball at his feet on the edge of the area and he laid off the Dale stalwart, who smashed the ball past Kelvin Davies to send the Dale fans into dreamland.
That goal saw the home fans begin to turn on their team, with resounding boos meeting a substitution and disgruntled noises greeting every mistake. But for Dale that is exactly how they would like it as a big upset seemed more and more likely.
However, the Dale players couldn't afford to relax yet, and Dan Harding looked set to pull one back with ten minutes left but dragged his shot horribly wide before taking a deflection and flying out for a corner. It seemed to really sum up Southampton's day in front of goal as Dale looked comfortable in seeing the game out.
That proved to be the case as but for a few half chances the home side never looked like disturbing the back of Josh Lillis' net. Joe Thompson came on for Andrew Tutte in a late substitution for Dale as they had four minutes of added time to see out. They did that with ease and the travelling Rochdale supporters would be celebrating all the way back north as Dale showed they are not in this League to be relegation fodder.
