Joe Thompson’s 70th minute strike ensured Dale remained in Sky Bet League One, on a dramatic final day.
Dale needed to better Oldham Athletic’s result, and with 20 minutes remaining both sides were drawing.
Thompson came off the bench minutes earlier and fired home with his left foot, and after a ten-minute wait for the result from Sixfields to come through, Dale could celebrate another season in League One.
Ian Henderson returned to the starting eleven after completing his four-game suspension, in place of Joe Thompson.
It was the skipper who had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after just seven minutes.
Callum Camps’ free-kick was saved by Charlton stopper Ben Amos but right into the path of Henderson, who could only turn the ball against the inside of the post.
Joe Aribo sent an effort straight at Josh Lillis which the Dale ‘keeper held, before Ryan Delaney had a header from a corner superbly saved by Amos.
Dale came under a bit of pressure midway through the half, as Jake Forster-Caskey sent a few efforts off target for the visitors, before sending an effort at Lillis which he held.
Matty Done sent a shot from distance off target, as the first-half came to an end with few openings for either side.
Sullay Kaikai had a shot deflected wide soon after the restart, before Henderson shot and Calvin Andrew headed into the arms of Amos.
Camps saw a lot shot well saved, and with 20 minutes to go came the magic moment.
Thompson, brought on as a substitute minutes earlier, picked up on a ball just inside the area, and fired low into the bottom corner to the jubilant celebrations inside the Crown Oil Arena.
Steven Davies had a shot held inside the final ten minutes, and despite the full-time whistle going at the Crown Oil Arena.
There was an agonising wait for the result from Sixfields to come through, but when confirmation that Oldham Athletic could only draw 2-2 at Northampton Town, the players and fans celebrated as one.
We are staying up!