Calvin Andrew’s strike secured Dale’s first away league victory of the season in a 1-0 victory over Northampton Town.
After a goalless first half, Andrew turned home Matty Done’s left-wing cross eight minutes after the break.
Dale had chances to double their lead, but they didn’t need the insurance, defending superbly as a team to hold on for a deserved three points.
Deadline day signing Scott Wiseman made his second Dale debut, replacing the recalled Donervon Daniels in the only change from last week’s draw at Millwall.
Dale started brightly, and almost broke the deadlock in spectualar fashion 13 minutes in. Northampton goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell raced out of his area to clear, leaving his goal open for Camps to send the ball back first time.
However, as it was trickling towards goal, O’Donnell sprinted back and clawed the effort away on the line.
Jordan Turnbull and Sam Foley headed wide for the hosts, before Josh Lillis was called into action for the first time to deny John-Joe O’Toole’s header from point blank range.
The Cobblers midfielder then forced Lillis into a comfortable stop, and shortly after the hour mark Dale got themselves back on top.
Joe Rafferty’s back post header from Matty Done’s cross flashed wide, before Rafferty then headed another Done delivery back across goal, where Mark Kitching forced O’Donnell into a stunning save to turn his effort over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, Jim McNulty’s header hit a body on the line before being cleared, as Dale enjoyed a spell of pressure.
Matt Grimes curled a free-kick just wide of Lillis’ left post shortly before the break, whilst Kitching forced O’Donnell into a comfortable stop after the restart.
However, there was nothing the Northampton stopper could do to prevent Dale taking the lead eight minutes into the second period through Andrew.
Ryan Delaney clipped a superb ball over the top for Done to latch on to, and he squared the ball to the back post where Andrew slotted home.
The goal spurred Dale on, and they had chances to double the lead in a strong spell following the opener.
Kitching fired an effort from distance narrowly wide, whilst O’Donnell denied both Henderson and Cannon in the space of a minute.
Grimes landed a free-kick on the roof of the net, but from then on the hosts couldn’t find a route past the stubborn Dale defence, who defended superbly.
Lillis only needed to produce one save in the closing stages, when he got a strong palm to a Gboly Ariyibi’s cross from the right.
Stephen Humphrys made his Dale debut, coming on for Camps, and he helped Dale’s pressing from the front which helped Dale hold on to their first away win of the season.