A stunning second half turnaround saw the Youth Team run out 3-2 winners against Preston North End at Bower Fold on Saturday.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time after goals from Darren Brannigan and Lewis Fensome, Dale launched a superb comeback after the break.
Two goals in a minute from Neil Kuemo and Fabio Tavares drew Dale level shortly after the half hour mark, and a Lewis Bradley goal four minutes from time sealed the fightback.
Dale goalkeeper Brad Wade was called into action on a number of occasions inside the opening ten minutes. He beat away a low drive from Michael Howard, before making a one-on-one save with his legs from Brannigan.
Wade then produced a fine save to deny Brannigan’s fizzing effort from distance, with the rebound from Smart hit straight at him.
Isaac Ward headed an Aaron Morley corner straight at the goalkeeper, with the only effort Dale could really muster in a first half that belonged to the visitors.
They did take the lead shortly after the half hour mark, when Howard’s low ball from the left was turned home by Brannigan.
Tyrhys Dolan clipped the top of the crossbar after picking up on a loose pass out by Wade, his lob from distance just dipping too late.
Preston doubled their lead two minutes before the break when a corner kick was met by the head of Fensome at the back post, with the ball looping up and dropping just inside the post.
Chris Brown’s side rallied in the second half, and dominated straight from the restart. Bradley and Kuemo both tested the goalkeeper as Dale looked for a way back into the game, which came just after the hour mark through Kuemo.
His driving run took him past three Preston defenders, and despite taking knocks along the way, he kept his balance inside the area and finished coolly into the corner.
Dale’s second came within a minute, when Tavares latched onto a ball behind the defence and clinically struck into the far corner to bring his side level.
Tavares had the chance to put Dale ahead fifteen minutes from time after being found by Dan Adshead, but the goalkeeper saved the one-on-one well with his body.
Wade ensured Dale remained level when he produced a superb stop to his left to deny Campbell’s driven shot which had come through bodies.
It proved to be a vital save as the turnaround was completed four minutes from time with a fine move.
Adshead found Tavares on the right of the area, and his low cross fell to Bradley, who took a touch and kept his composure to fire high into the net, sealing a superb comeback.
Dale XI: Wade, Matheson (Neild 65’), Ward, Renner, Appiah, Morley, Adshead, Hoti (Hopper 61’), Bradley, Kuemo, Tavares.
Subs: Hamzat, White, Yonsian.