The Youth Team lost 3-1 at Bury in their opening game of the EFL North West Youth Alliance League.
Dale took a first-half lead through Fabio Tavares, minutes after Brad Wade had saved a Bury penalty.
The hosts were reduced to ten men shortly after the hour mark, before capitalising on a defensive mistake to equalise a minute later.
They went ahead inside the final ten minutes, before adding another from the penalty spot to double their lead.
Both sides exchanged efforts off target in a quiet opening to the game, before Wade turned Callum Dolan’s effort around the post after a swift counter from Bury.
Lewis Bradley saw an effort held up high by the Bury goalkeeper, before the hosts had a chance to break the deadlock from the penalty spot.
Toby Phillips was penalised for a foul just inside the area, but Wade got a strong hand low to his right to deny Joe Adams.
Dale took full advantage, taking the lead four minutes before the break through Tavares just moments after he was inches away from getting on the end of a Joe Dunne cross.
Musambya Kisimba found Phillips after beating a man, who played it to Florent Hoti on the edge of the area. He played the ball through for Tavares, who took a touch before firing into the far corner.
Dale were also given a man advantage when Callum Hulme saw red in the 64th minute, but Bury drew level moments later when Adams seized on a defensive error before finishing coolly.
Tavares met Louis White’s superb diagonal pass but cushioned a volley wide as Dale searched for the goal to put them back in front, but it was Bury who took the lead when Cameron Hill poked home from close range.
They were awarded another penalty five minutes from time after a foul by Dunne, which Adams converted this time.
Dale were then given a penalty of their own three minutes later, but Tavares saw his effort well saved as Bury held on.