Dale were denied all three points after a 92nd minute equaliser from Doncaster Rovers ensured a share of the spoils.
Aaron Morley’s first professional game had given Dale the lead midway through the second-half, but Kieran Sadlier’s header in added time cruelly denied Dale a second win from their two opening games.
There was one change from the side which beat Tranmere Rovers on the opening day. Ollie Rathbone, who suffered a heavy challenge in that game, missed out, with Aaron Morley replacing him.
An even opening to the half didn’t produce much by way of chances, other than Alfie May dragging a shot well wide for the visitors.
There was some excellent build-up play from Brian Barry-Murphy’s men, and in the final ten minutes of the half they created some excellent chances.
The closest of those came to Rekeil Pyke, who, after a Callum Camps flick-on, chested the ball down and volleyed an effort off the far post.
Jimmy Keohane then tested Doncaster goalkeeper Ian Lawlor after picking up on a Rhys Norrington-Davies cross, forcing the stopper into a save high at his near post.
Lawlor then denied Pyke, who was picked out by Morley’s slide-rule ball, tipping the on-loan Huddersfield Town man’s fierce striker over the bar.
A training ground routine corner kick followed, as Ian Henderson flicked a Norrington-Davies corner into the path of Morley. He connected well with his shot, but saw it blocked behind.
The final effort of the half fell Doncaster’s way, as Ben Whiteman’s dipping effort from distance was well held by Dale stopper Robert Sánchez.
Both goalkeepers made saves at the beginning of the second period, with Lawlor spilling a Norrington-Davies cross before collecting at the second attempt, before Sanchez made a save with his feet from Matty Blair.
A superb ball over the top from MJ Williams almost saw Henderson in on goal, but he was denied by Lawlor who came rushing out of his goal. Henderson picked up the loose ball and fed Dooley, who had his shot blocked behind.
Morley’s resulting corner was cleared as far as Norrington-Davies who laid the ball back off to Morley. His cross from the left evaded everybody, and nestled in the far corner.
In response, James Coppinger cushioned a volley wide from a central position, before Alfie May’s effort from distance was held by Sánchez.
The Dale goalkeeper then denied Sadlier with his feet from a one-on-one situation, with Eoghan O’Connell clearing well from danger.
However, there was nothing Sánchez could do in the 92nd minute, when Sadlier headed home a corner kick into the very far top corner, to deny Dale all three points.