Rochdale’s Integration Squad was in action on Wednesday afternoon, taking on Carlisle United in the Central League Cup.
The Cumbrians were 2-1 winners at the Frenchfields Stadium in Penrith.
The hosts went ahead in the first half through an own goal, before a Dale trialst levelled proceedings early in the second period, but Carlisle secured victory from the penalty spot.
Deadline day signings Conor Grant and Conor Shaughnessy were involved, as was Ryan McLaughlin, in a squad made up of predominantly youth team scholars.
The hosts had the better of the first half chances and took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Cedwyn Scott struck first, forcing Brad Wade into a save with his feet after three minutes.
Ten minutes later and the Dale goalkeeper was out quick to deny Gimme Toure’s low powerful effort, again with his feet.
Deadlock was broken shortly before the half hour.
Dean Furman got inside the area before sending a dangerous low ball across the face of goal which was inadvertently turned across the line by an outstretching Shaughnessy as he did his utmost to keep the ball out of the back of the net.
Soon after, Furman was in again, and saw his powerful effort pushed round the upright by Wade.
Trialst B then showed great feet to get away from his marker and inside the area, before striking an effort narrowly wide of the upright.
Up the other and there was an important block from Shaughnessy as he closed down a Toure shot at source by throwing his body in the way, after the Carlisle player had got inside the area.
A short time later Trialist A had a header from a corner held by former Dale loanee Magnus Norman, who was in net for the Cumbrians.
HT | CARLISLE UNITED 1-0 ROCHDALE
There was one change at the interval, as Louie Chorlton replaced Ryan McLaughlin for the start of the second half.
Rochdale started brightly and Kacper Mialkowski struck across goal and inches wide of the upright seven minutes after the restart.
Dale’s equaliser came in the 55th minute, when Trialist B found the top corner with a brilliant strike from just outside the area.
A second Rochdale substitution followed, as Adam Cullen replaced Shaughnessy on the hour.
Furman continued to be the home side’s biggest threat and he dragged an effort wide of Wade’s post, before sending a snapshot on the turn over the bar.
And Carlisle went on to regain the lead in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot. Taylor Charters sent Wade the wrong way, finishing low into the bottom corner.
A short time later, substitute Cullen was denied by Norman, who got out quickly, as Dale went in search of an equaliser. After being sent through on goal, the ‘keeper parried away Cullen's fine strike.
A double change followed in the 82 minute, as Luke Nock and Jordan Scanlon replaced Joe Wright and Ethan Pye.
Late on, Norman produced two excellent saves in quick succession to deny Dale, firstly keeping out Cullen and then Scanlon, while right at the death the ‘keeper was out to smother the ball at the feet of Cullen after he got into the area.
Dale XI | Wade, McLaughlin, Trialist A, Pye, Dunne, Shaughnessy, Hopper, Mialkowski, Grant, Trialist B, Wright. Subs | Kelly, Chorlton, Nock, Cullen, Scanlon