The Youth Team were 1-0 winners over Carlisle United at their new home venue of Bower Fold, thanks to a first half header from Joe Renner.
Renner, Captaining the side, rose highest to meet Aaron Morley’s free-kick just after the half hour mark to bag the only goal of the game.
Dale struck the woodwork three times as they dominated the remainder of the match, without adding to their tally.
Isaac Ward tested the Carlisle stopper inside the first two minutes with a header from Aaron Morley’s cross, before the visitors headed two efforts over from set pieces of their own.
They were enjoying a decent spell, and Brad Wade kept Dale level in the 14th minute, saving a one-on-one from close range with his feet.
Dale took a hold of the game midway through the half and began to dominate. Neil Kuemo dragged a left foot shot wide of the far post, before Luke Matheson’s strike from distance was held low to the goalkeeper’s right.
Kuemo then had a deflected shot well held, whilst Matheson’s strike produced a great diving save to deny Dale taking the lead.
However, Chris Brown’s side weren’t to be denied, and broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark. Morley’s drilled free-kick was met by the head of Renner, who left the goalkeeper rooted as his header nestled inside the far post.
Dale were a matter of inches away from doubling the lead just five minutes later, when they struck the woodwork on the first of three occasions.
Fabio Tavares intercepted a poor pass out from the Carlisle goalkeeper, and fired goalwards, with his effort striking the inside of the post before spinning out for a goal kick on the opposite side of goal.
Wade was called into action again shortly before the break, when he got his fingertips to a powerful drive from a tight angle.
Harrison Hopper and Tavares both had efforts saved after the break, before Tavares struck the woodwork again midway through the half.
He broke behind the defence through on goal but struck the underside of the crossbar before the ball was cleared.
Morley then struck the upright from a curling free-kick, his effort coming off the inside of the post, before Tavares’ follow up half volley flew over.
Tavares then saw an effort deflected wide, before Louis White, on as a substitute for Lewis Bradley, drilled a left footed half volley just over the crossbar.
James Neild replaced Hopper inside the final ten minutes as Dale were able to see the game out, and claim their third league victory in a row.