The Youth Team secured a superb victory in their top of the table clash against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
A first-half penalty save from Dale stopper Brad Wade, before second-half goals from Fabio Tavares and Neil Kuemo, sealed a 2-0 victory at Bower Fold.
Tavares almost opened the scoring early in the game after a superb piece of skill. He received a pass into feet from Harrison Hopper, turned on the edge of the area taking him past the Wigan defence, before firing wide of the far post.
Wade then produced a fine penalty save just after the half hour mark to keep the game goalless. A handball was given against Dale in the area, but Wade flew to his left to keep out the low strike.
Dale broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the second period. Florent Hoti dispossessed a Wigan midfielder on the halfway line and drove forward.
He found Tavares with a ball into the area, and the striker beat his defender by cutting inside, before finishing clinically into the roof of the net.
The lead was doubled 12 minutes later, through substitute Kuemo. Lewis Bradley carried the ball forward before finding Kuemo on the left, and he drove into the area and sent a low effort past the Wigan stopper from a tight angle.
Only the woodwork prevented Dale from grabbing a third in the 90th minute. Wade’s superb kick-out found Bradley, who turned the ball forwards for Tavares. However, the striker’s effort cannoned back off the near upright.
The victory keeps Dale in second spot, and cuts the gap to leaders Wigan down to five points, with Dale also having two games in hand.
iFollow subscribers can watch the highlights from the game above.