An injury time winner saw the Youth Team run out 2-1 winners in their penultimate pre-season friendly, away at Fleetwood Town.
The match was played at Pool Foot Farm, Fleetwood’s training ground, on Wednesday afternoon.
There was a lengthy stoppage in the first half when Louis White required stitches to a nasty head injury sustained in a challenge with a Fleetwood player.
Dale broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Neil Kuemo, when he headed in Elliot Murray’s corner from close range.
It was a competitive match played in difficult, blustery conditions, and the hosts equalised in the 76th minute.
It looked as though the match was heading towards a stalemate, but a stoppage time own goal saw Dale seal victory.
Florian Yonsian, who replaced White in the first half, saw his cross turned into his own net by a Fleetwood defender.
The Youth Team’s final pre-season friendly is on Saturday 29th July, when they face Oldham Athletic at Chapel Road (11am kick-off).
Dale XI: Wade, Appiah, Ward, Renner, Kearney, Neild, White, Hopper, Bradley, Kuemo, Murray.
Subs: Yonsian, Kisimba, Piper, Hamzat, McConnell.
