Dale were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night, losing 3-0 to a strong Bradford City side at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Kian Scales scored twice in two minutes, followed by a third from Connor Morris, to ensure it was the home side who progressed into the next round.
The hosts started brightly and went close when Reece Staunton’s driven volley was instinctively saved by Dale stopper Morgan Piper.
Morris and Elliot Goldthorp then both fired shots well over the Dale goal as Bantams looked to control proceedings.
With only 11 minutes on the clock, Bradford took the lead through Kian Scales with a neat cushioned volley after some clever build up on the left-hand side.
Just a minute later, Scales doubled his tally with a side footed finish following some intricate build up play once more.
Morgan Moreland nearly pulled a goal back for Dale when he almost got on the end of a cross from the right-hand side.
Morris had the next opportunity to score a third for Bradford but his flick lacked any direction and went well wide.
Piper then made an excellent double save to deny the home side but just two minutes later it was three.
Morris got on the end of a diagonal ball from right-back Hayden Smethurst and struck a powerful shot in at the near post.
It nearly got worse for Dale when Bradford were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Piper brought down Morris.
The Dale ‘keeper was booked but Goldthorp saw his penalty rattle off the crossbar and into the stand.
Peter Thomas went close for Dale five minutes after the restart but he could only head over the bar.
Goldthorp nearly added a fourth when his long-range strike went just wide of Dale’s goal.
The two goal-scorers then combined and Morris saw his shot comfortably held onto by Piper.
Jorge Sikora had a chance to add to Bradford’s tally but his header landed on the roof of the net.
Connor Shanks had the ball in the net after some unselfish play from Scales but it was ruled out for offside.
Dale introduced Musambya Kisimba in the second half and he had a chance with ten minutes left to play but scuffed his shot well wide.
Dale’s youngsters are next in action on Saturday, away to Accrington Stanley.