The Youth Team suffered a 5-1 defeat against Bradford City in their second game of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.
A first-half hat-trick from Connor Morris and a Charlie Wood goal saw the Bantams race into a 4-0 lead at the break.
Morris netted his first two from close range, pouncing on a loose ball after a 50-50 with Dale stopper Morgan Piper for the first, before converting Kian Scales’ low ball from the right for the second.
Wood curled an effort into the far corner his goal, Bradford’s third, before Morrison sealed his hat-trick in first-half stoppage time with a cool finish after beating his man on the edge of the area.
Dale substitute Morgan Kinsella pulled a goal back, heading home a well worked free-kick routine, but the visitors added a fifth in the final minute through Dan Francis.
Dale XI | Piper (c), Wright, DeSouza, Clarkson, Lee, Gouveia, Moreland, Chorlton, Kisimba, Patrick, Cullen.
Subs | Chorlton, Kinsella, Nock, Thomas, Brierley.