Rochdale’s integration squad lost 4-1 on Tuesday against Shrewsbury in their opening Central League Cup fixture.
Fabio Tavares’ goal was Dale’s only consolation as they walked away empty handed from the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Luke McCormick had the first effort on goal for the hosts, his 25-yard strike comfortably held by Brad Wade.
The home side then had an appeal for a penalty turned away when a trialist appeared to go down in the Dale box, but the referee insisted there was no contact.
Harry Lee went close for Dale, glancing a header wide from a corner, before Lewis Bradley then won a free kick on the edge of the area, and took it himself, although his subsequent effort was palmed away by Shrewsbury keeper Cameron Gregory.
Tavares went close when he broke clean through on goal before opting to square the ball for Morgan Moreland, but it was cleared.
McCormick had a chance to break the deadlock for Shrewsbury when the ball fell to him just outside the box, his effort superbly diverted behind for a corner by Joe Dunne.
Tavares found himself through on goal once more after taking it round the Shrewsbury ‘keeper, but he couldn’t hit the target.
Lenell John-Lewis rose highest from McCormick’s corner but his header went wide of the mark.
Into the second half, the home side took the lead, McCormick beating two Dale defenders before firing past Wade.
John-Lewis tried his luck when he cut in from the left before firing well over.
Moments later, the hosts doubled their lead when substitute Archie Elmore capitalised on a defensive error before slotting the ball home from close range.
Shrewsbury scored their third in quick succession when Ethan O’Toole raced clear before finishing comfortably past Wade.
McCormick then scored his second, and Shrewsbury’s fourth, when he converted from just inside the area.
Tavares pulled one back for Dale after Shrewsbury failed to deal with a loose ball, finishing left-footed into the bottom corner.
This wasn’t enough for Dale who suffered defeat in their opening group game, despite showing positives throughout the tie.
Dale's next game in the competition is against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday 3rd December. Full details will follow in due course.
Dale XI | Wade, Gillam, Lee, Dunne, Mialkowski, Brierley, Mulvey, Hopper, Tavares, Bradley, Moreland.
Subs | Chalton, Wright, Caldwell, Nock, Chorton.