The Youth Team drew 2-2 at Mansfield Town in the EFL North Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday.

First-half goals from Lewis Bradley and Ben Martin put Dale 2-0 up at the break, before the hosts came back to level matters in the second-half, meaning Dale exit the competition at the group stage.

Fabio Tavares almost gave Dale the lead early on when his effort from Joe Dunne’s low cross was deflected wide.

Dale did take the lead shortly after, winning the ball high allowing Bradley to jink past his defender and fire low into the far corner.

He almost set-up the second, finding Florian Yonsian who saw a curling effort turned for a corner, and it was from a corner that Dale did grab the second.

The delivery fell kindly for Martin eight-yards out, who coolly slotted home his first goal for the club.

Morgan Piper superbly saved a penalty shortly before the break to keep Dale two in front, but he couldn’t prevent another spot kick finding the back of the net after half-time.

Mansfield equalised in the final minute with a strike across goal that earned them a point, which ultimately knocked Dale out of the competition.