Dale recorded their sixth successive victory on Tuesday afternoon, beating Preston North End 4-3 in an action-packed encounter at Bower Fold.
Goals from Louie Chorlton, Peter Thomas (2) and Joe Wright were enough for all three points for Dale in a game where the away side equalised on three separate occasions.
Chorlton opened the scoring with only three minutes on the clock – Louie D’Souza’s cross travelled all the way to the back post, with the opposite full-back on hand to rifle home on the half volley.
Moments later, Preston equalised when Lewis Leigh’s shot deflected into the bottom corner.
Dale responded well and went back in front when Wright’s excellent first touch fed Jordan Scanlon, his pass was perfect for Thomas who ran through and finished low past the ‘keeper.
A mistake in the Dale defence then saw Preston equalise once more – Jacob Holland-Wilkinson finding space in the area before firing into the top corner.
In the second half, Dale were awarded a penalty after Chorlton showed quick feet in the box before being tripped – Wright stepped up and put Dale back in the lead with an emphatic finish – sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Dale almost got a fourth when Morgan Kinsella’s shot was cleared off the line, he then chipped to the back post where Patrick Watts headed towards goal, but it was once again kept out by a brilliant save from the ‘keeper.
Preston were awarded a penalty of their own after a trip in the box, Holland-Wilkinson stepped up and scored his second and got the away side back on level terms for the third time.
The winning goal came courtesy of some great pressing from Thomas, who closed down the goalkeeper and managed to block his clearance, the ball ricocheted up and into the empty net and put Dale back in the lead.
The result means Dale have now won 14 out of their last 16 fixtures in all competitions and are next in action when they face the same opponent on Saturday, this time facing Preston North End away from home.
Dale XI | Chalton, D'Souza, Kershaw, Kinsella, Chorlton, Clarkson, Thomas, Scanlon, Wright, Watts, Mialkowski.
Subs | Kelly, Caldwell, Kyffin, Skyers, Jesus, Cullen.