Rochdale secured three points at Adams Park on Saturday to remain top of the Sky Bet League Two table.
Second half goals from Jamie Allen and Peter Vincenti saw Dale record a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers, in a hard fought out encounter.
The sides had gone in level at the interval, despite both teams having chances, and Dale found the breakthrough seven minutes after the interval through a quality strike from Allen. Vincenti ensured victory 15 minutes from time.
There were two changes for the match, with the suspended Matty Lund and the injured Jack O’Connell missing out. They were replaced by Michael Rose and Olly Lancashire, respectively.
There was an energetic opening to the game, albeit scrappy, in what was a hard fought out and physical encounter.
In the 11th minute the home side came close to opening the score, with only the woodwork standing in the way of Reece Styche.
He had got on the wrong side of the Dale defence, giving himself the opportunity of a shot on goal, and he stabbed an effort goal-wards, which was kept out by the base of the post.
Two minutes later and Rochdale threatened after Joe Bunney was played through on goal, however the youngster was caught in two minds as the ‘keeper came off his line, and he blasted an effort over the bar.
A congested midfield meant much of Dale’s play was coming from the wide areas, as they looked to break down a resolute Wycombe side, who were limiting clear cut opportunities for Rochdale.
During a five minute spell midway through the half, the home side applied a wave of pressure on Dale, but Keith Hill’s side stood strong, resulting in the Chairboys having just one effort on goal through a set-piece, despite the short spell on top. Wycombe were awarded the free-kick just outside the area in a central position, from which Max Kretzschmar forced Liilis to tip the shot over the bar.
Dale’s best chance of the half fell to Peter Vincenti six minutes before the interval, as he got on the end of a useful cross from Done. The Jersey man smashed a volley at Matt Ingham, and the stretching ‘keeper pulled off an important two handed safe to send the effort round the upright.
The sides went into the interval yet to break the deadlock.
HT: WYCOMBE WANDERERS 0-0 ROCHDALE
An unchanged eleven emerged for the second half as Dale stayed as was for the start of the second half.
The home side started brightly and were the first to test, as Skipper Stuart Lewis glanced a header from a quickly taken free-kick, narrowly past the upright, and three minutes later, Kretzschmar hit fractionally wide on the half volley from just inside the box.
It was a positive start from Wycombe, who had been on the front foot during the early exchanges of the second half, but they were left to rue missed opportunities as Dale opening the scoring with 52 minutes on the clock, arguably against the run of play.
After some excellent build up, Done picked up out Allen on the edge of the 18-yard box, and the young midfielder fired a powerful shot beyond Ingram.
GOAL: Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Rochdale (Allen, 52 minutes)
The goal re-rallied the home side and they again applied plenty of pressure on the Dale defence, with no outcome as Rochdale repelled the danger.
The Chairboys had a penalty appeal turned down during the spell of pressure as Marvin McCoy was brought to ground shortly after the hour mark, however the referee was quick to wave away the shouts.
Rochdale were always a threat, though, and in the 68th minute a fantastic save from goalkeeper Ingram kept out Rose, as he tipped the 30 yard strike onto the bar.
Dale’s first substitution of the game followed with 74 minutes on the clock as George Donnelly replaced Bunney, and it was immediately after the change from a corner that Rochdale extended their lead.
The corner, which was sent to the back post, was met by Lancashire but he was denied by the legs of Ingram. Wycombe failed to clear the ball despite the initial save and as the ball cannoned around inside a packed box, Vincenti was able to get a touch and send it over the line.
GOAL: Wycombe Wanderers 0-2 Rochdale (Vincenti, 75 minutes)
The home side continued to ask questions, racking up 14 corners, but despite the pressure clear cut opportunities were limited as Dale defended resolutely to keep them out.
In the 86th minute Henderson had the chance to add a third following a low cross from Donnelly, but he could only scuff his shot comfortably into the hands of Ingham.
Wycombe battled during five minutes of stoppage, but a confident Dale saw out the game to record back to back clean sheets and secure another important three points.
It finished Wycombe Wanderers 0, Rochdale 2.