Jake Beesley made a return to action for the Integration Squad on Tuesday afternoon in the Central League Cup.
The striker, who has been out since the beginning of December following a head injury, played 45 minutes as a young Dale side were beaten 5-0 by Carlisle United at the Crown Oil Arena.
Ethan Brierley, captaining the side, had a shot from 20-yards well blocked inside the opening minute, before Brad Wade made several strong stops as the half progressed.
Carlisle took the lead eight minutes before the break when Cedwyn Scott broke the deadlock.
Keaton Mulvey replaced Beesley at the break and Dale started the second period strongly, with Fabio Tavares forcing the goalkeeper into a good save after latching on to Lewis Bradley’s through ball, before Mulvey had a close-range header deflected narrowly wide from a corner kick.
Matty Done had a free-kick well blocked before he was replaced by second-year scholar Louis Clarkson midway through the half.
The visitors added to their tally with another from Scott, two from Taylor Charters and one from Sam Fishburn late on to secure the three points.
Dale XI | Wade, Mialkowski (86’ Sutton), Dunne, Bradley, Hopper, Beesley (45’ Mulvey), Brierley ©, Jesus, Done (65’ Clarkson), Tavares (86’ Thomas), Pye.
Subs | Chalton, Mulvey, Clarkson, Sutton, Thomas.