The Youth Team extended their winning run to six matches with a 2-0 victory over Carlisle United.
The home side were reduced to ten men midway through the first-half after Kieron Olsen’s elbow, and Harrison Hopper headed home 12 minutes later to take full advantage.
Fabio Tavares doubled the lead midway through the second period, as Dale closed the gap on Wigan Athletic at the top of the EFL Youth Alliance League.
A stop-start opening period was an even but quiet affair, as both sides struggled to create a clear opening.
The home side were reduced to ten men in the 25th minute, when Kieron Olsen saw red for an elbow on Neil Kuemo, which was spotted by the assistant referee.
Dale took advantage of the extra man seven minutes before the break, forcing a corner which was headed home by Hopper.
Morley’s clipped ball in to the near post was perfect for Hopper, who headed home clinically, unmarked from six-yards out.
Isaac Ward replaced Louis White at the beginning of a second-half that Dale edged, without creating a clear-cut opening, until midway through the period.
Kuemo drove forward down the left side, and played a ball into the centre for Tavares.
He brought it down on his chest, before finishing clinically into the bottom corner to double Dale’s lead.
Luke Taylor had a header save and sent another wide for the home side as they pushed forward late on, but Dale were comfortable and held on to their clean sheet.
They are back in action again in the Youth Alliance League on Saturday, travelling to Wrexham.
Dale XI: Davison-Hale, Matheson, Neild, Renner, Appiah, White, Morley, Hoti, Hopper, Kuemo, Tavares.
Subs: Ward, Hamzat, Kearney, Yonsian.