The Youth Team progressed to the semi-final of the Lancashire Youth Cup on Tuesday afternoon after coming from behind to secure a 3-1 win over Oldham Athletic.
On a bitterly cold and windy afternoon at Chapel Road, the Latics took a one goal lead into the interval after having the direction of the wind in their favour during the first half.
The home side had dominated the first half, but Dale were the better of the two after the break.
Shortly before the hour mark, Billy Hasler-Cregg netted from distance to draw Rochdale level, and as momentum stayed with Dale, they scored another, eight minutes later.
Controversy surrounded the goal, with claims from the Latics players the ball hadn’t crossed the line. After much deliberation with his assistant, the referee allowed the goal to stand.
The woodwork then stood between Hooper and Dale’s third after he was denied by the cross bar. But Dale did add another as Bell found the back of the net in the 77th minute.