Rochdale ended Blackpool’s sixteen game run on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win over them at the Crown Oil Arena.
Ollie Rathbone’s second half strike secured three vital points for Dale, as Brian Barry-Murphy’s side recorded their third consecutive victory at home in the space of a week.
Rochdale were the better of the two teams during the early exchanges and had opportunities to open the scoring as they dominated, but were unable to break the deadlock as Blackpool stood firm.
Paul McShane struck a lofted effort over the bar, before Dale produced the first save of the game on 12 minutes.
Aaron Morley’s clipped ball into the area was met by a sliding and stretching Stephen Dooley, whose poke forced Chris Maxwell to get down to his left to push it round the upright.
And still Rochdale came forward, causing problems for the Seasiders.
After some brilliant pressure, Jimmy Keohane had a shot blocked and Conor Grant was denied on the follow up by Maxwell from close range.
Soon after, Eoghan O’Connell found Dooley who had a shot blocked behind.
As the half progressed the game became a relatively even affair, as both sides defended resolutely and they went in level at the break.
HT | ROCHDALE 0-0 BLACKPOOL
Four minutes after the restart, Jerry Yates played a quick one-two with Luke Garbutt before firing wide of the post.
Meanwhile, after the offside flag stayed down, Ellis Simms drove at goal before seeing his effort kept out by Jay Lynch who pulled off a fine save, flying to his left to keep him out.
A double Rochdale change followed in on the hour mark, as Grant and Dooley made way for Matty Done and Matthew Lund.
Ollie Rathbone had a low effort well held by Maxwell, before going on to put Dale ahead a short time later, with 69 minutes on the clock.
The midfielder got on the end of a quick throw in, drove inside before finding the far bottom corner.
Three minutes after the goal and Rochdale were in again, as Done hit the visitors on the break. He raced at goal from deep inside the Seasiders’ half but Jordan Thorniley got back to put a last ditch challenge in to prevent him from getting a shot away once inside the area.
Blackpool came at Dale during the final stages, as they looked to find an equaliser but Rochdale continued to stand firm and kept them at bay with an impressive defensive display, with Thorniley firing over from distance in stoppage time, their most notable effort.
FT | ROCHDALE 1-0 BLACKPOOL