Brian Barry-Murphy was proud of the way his side conducted themselves on Friday night, despite losing 3-0 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Goals from Ryan Williams, Steve Seddon and Christian Burgess saw Dale beaten but they went toe to toe with Pompey for most of the game.
Barry-Murphy believed his side would get something out of the game after creating numerous clear-cut chances.
“We played well, and our lads did absolutely everything we asked them to do. I was convinced we could get something from the game.
“We had some key chances in the first-half that we didn’t take and then conceded right before half-time from a free-kick where we had ten men with Rhys being off injured.
“It was difficult for the lads to take but we responded well in the second-half and I thought it was a scrappy game with the conditions playing a part, but we had chances.
“Portsmouth have a habit of scoring goals and winning games so I always felt we’d need to score a goal and we just couldn’t manage that.”
The Dale boss described the result as ‘hard to take’ with his team very much in the game until the closing stages.
“Their first goal is avoidable, but we have ten men and we don’t adjust to that.
“The second goal is a brilliant strike from outside the area, and it was difficult for us at that time.
“It became a difficult game for us to chase with the conditions, but we kept going right till the end.
“I thought looking at us today our commitment and our desire was inspiring, and I said to the lads pre-game and post-game this was never going to define how well we do this season.
“I said the way we behave and the way we play was important and I saw all the traits that make us a very potent group who are capable of producing very good things in this league.”
Rhys Norrington-Davies was forced off with an injury on the stroke of half-time.
Tyler Smith was also not in the squad with Jimmy Ryan on the bench.
Barry-Murphy provided an update on all three players after the match.
He said: “I think Rhys just had an issue with his hamstring and he tried to give it a go and get back on, but he couldn’t do that.
“Tyler was involved in a car accident Thursday morning and was okay, thankfully. There were suggestions that he was concussed so he had to go to the hospital near his home with his parents and will liaise with the club going forward but luckily, he’s going to be okay.
“Hopefully he will be available for next week’s game.
“Jimmy had been sick all week and convinced me that he was okay to travel so with us being short on numbers he travelled but realistically I never really thought I was going to be able to use him today.”