The Youth Team were beaten 2-1 at Fleetwood Town in the EFL Youth Alliance League on Saturday.

Morgan Moreland had given Dale the lead in the first-half, but a goal in each period from the hosts gave them all three points.

Fleetwood created the first chance of the game, firing an effort from just inside the area narrowly wide of Morgan Piper’s left post.

Dale broke the deadlock through Moreland’s fourth goal of the season. A corner to the back post was kept alive by Musambya Kisimba, who pulled the ball back for Moreland to finish clinically first-time.

Kisimba then saw a shot blocked as Dale looked to double the advantage, after being found by Toby Phillips inside the area.

The hosts equalised when James Hill rose highest at a corner to nod home to the far post.

Moreland came inches away from doubling his tally moments later. He latched on to Piper’s long pass, round the outrushing goalkeeper, but could only find the outside of the near post from a tight angle.

Piper produced a fine save shortly before the break to turn an effort from nearly 40-yards onto the underside of the crossbar, before keeping out a close-range effort after half-time.

He was beaten by a follow-up from close range midway through the half, after a free-kick sent into the Dale area fell kindly for the Fleetwood man.

Piper was on hand a number of times in the closing stages to keep the opposition at bay, turning efforts round the post and over the bar with fingertip saves, as Dale couldn’t find an equaliser.

Dale XI | Piper, Wright, Kinsella, Lee, Mialkowski, Clarkson, Chorlton, Phillips, Cullen, Moreland, Kisimba.

Subs | Chalton, Nock, Kershaw, Scanlon.