Calvin Andrew netted from the penalty spot as Dale claimed a win over Stockport County.
Andrew sent the ball straight down the middle from 12 yards after Andy Cannon was felled inside the box.
Keith Hill named three trialists in his squad at Edgeley Park. Theo Robinson continues to try and earn a contract, whilst goalkeepers Timothy Dieng and Tony Thompson were given 45 minutes each as they looked to impress. There was also a start for 16 year old first year scholar Aaron Morley in midfield alongside skipper Jamie Allen. Joe Rafferty was utilised as a central defender in a back four also containing Andy Cannon, Niall Canavan and former County player Jim McNulty. Reuben Noble-Lazarus made his first appearance since returning to the club in midweek whilst Calvin Andrew, James Hooper and Theo Robinson started up front.
The home side, buoyed by a boisterous home crowd, took the game to their EFL opponents from the first whistle with former Rochdale Academy product Sam Minihan firing over when well placed 18 yards out.
Robinson was played in brilliantly by youngster Morley but the former Derby County striker was left frustrated after some very good defending smothered his chance.
Former Dale loanee Lewis Montrose showed great footwork before a shot with the outside of the right boot brought about a fine one handed save from Dieng to keep the score at 0-0 heading into the half time interval.
The Dale boss gave trialist keeper Tony Thompson the second half as Dieng made way. Thompson was on trail at Fylde and played in the first half of the game against Dale on Tuesday with Keith Hill being impressed enough by the former Rotherham man to offer him a trial at Spotland.
The Hatters almost caught Dale napping in the opening seconds of the second half when a quickly taken free-kick saw the home side with space to cross; the centre from Danny Lloyd being over hit and the ball just dropping on the roof of Thompson’s goal.
As the game reached the hour mark, Dale started to impose themselves more and more. Robinson was thwarted by the legs of Ben Hinchliffe in the County goal whilst another defence splitting pass from Morley fed Cannon, his cross was deflected behind for a corner.
Second year scholar Jack Stewart came on with twenty minutes remaining replacing James Hooper.
Robinson came close to opening the scoring when his turn and shot crashed back off the face of the crossbar and Hinchliffe was at full stretch to push away Noble-Lazarus’ drive.
From the resultant corner, Dale were awarded a spot kick when Cannon was tripped by Adam Thomas.
Calvin Andrew coolly stepped up to stroke the ball into the net from 12 yards to score the only goal of the game.
Keith Hill said afterwards that it was a very good workout for his players as the pre-season continues to build towards the first league game against Peterborough United.
Rochdale: Dieng (T) (Thompson 46) (T), Cannon, Rafferty, Canavan, McNulty, Allen (c), Noble-Lazarus, Morley, Hooper (Stewart 70), Robinson (T), Andrew