Dale came from behind to claim all three points at the University of Bolton stadium on Saturday to see them shoot up to 14thplace in Sky Bet League One.
Ollie Rathbone and Fabio Tavares scored their first League goals of the season to send Dale home with all three points.
Boss Brian Barry-Murphy made three changes with Jay Lynch, Rhys Norrington Davies and Aaron Morley returning to the side following last weeks victory against Accrington Stanley.
It was nearly the perfect start for Dale when straight from kick-off, Morley hit an ambitious attempt to lob Remi Matthews, his effort landing on the roof of the net.
Daryl Murphy then had a chance for Bolton, but his tame header was gratefully held by Lynch.
Dale countered from a Bolton corner, with Norrington-Davies firing just wide of Matthews’ goal. Callum Camps was next to try his luck but couldn’t find the target from 25-yards.
Dale then attacked down the right flank; Ian Henderson’s low cross being diverted out of play by a Bolton defender.
Bolton tried to create an opening of their own and nearly did so, Thibaud Verlinden going close with a deflected shot.
And just moments later, it was Verlinden who broke the deadlock, meeting a cross from the right-hand side after some good work from substitute Joe Dodoo in the 56th minute.
Dale responded well and nine minutes later were level, Callum Camps with a deflected strike to peg the home side back.
Camps then went close once more, this time with a speculative drive from 30 yards from a Dale free-kick.
A heroic piece of defending from Eoghan O’Connell prevented Bolton retaking the lead, and it was in fact Dale who got the next goal, Rathbone breaking down the left-hand side and driving a low shot in off the post to turn the game on its head.
Bolton pushed forward in search of an equaliser with Ali Crawford shooting wide and Jason Lowe firing over the bar.
Daryl Murphy saw himself have a goal disallowed after Verlinden fouled Luke Matheson in the build-up.
Dale defended resolutely and added a third with six minutes left on the clock, Tavares scoring his first goal for the club after a determined run through the Bolton defence.
Second half substitute Luke Murphy fired wide for the hosts as they attempted to grab a consolation goal.
The result sees Dale pick up their second successive win in a week, and now switch their attention to Tuesday’s home fixture against MK Dons.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game can be purchased online HERE.