Dale were on the wrong end of a narrow defeat on Tuesday afternoon, losing 1-0 to Fleetwood Town.
Despite having the better chances, Dale couldn’t quite find the back of the net and Cian Hayes’ second-half goal was enough to ensure the away side snatched all three points.
The first chance of the match fell to Fleetwood striker Enoch Takpe who fired a shot over on the turn.
Jordan Scanlon had a chance to break the deadlock after being found by Paul Kyffin, but he blazed a shot over the crossbar.
Then, Peter Thomas released Joe Wright, who fed the ball into Kyffin’s path, but he was denied by an excellent save from Connor Eastham.
Dale continued to look threatening and hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds – Ben Kershaw’s free-kick travelled through everyone and bounced back out off the post, with Morgan Kinsella heading the rebound onto the bar before the ball was cleared to safety.
Scanlon then found Louie Chorlton who cut the ball back for Thomas who fired a shot narrowly wide.
In the second period, Thomas went close once more, this time heading wide after connecting with a Louie D’Souza corner.
The visitors had an opening of their own when Akiel Raffie fired a shot just wide from the edge of the area.
Chorlton was the next Dale player to go close, lashing a shot into the side netting after some neat skill to beat two defenders.
The away side took the lead when Ben Chalton’s clearance fell to the feet of Raffie, he found Hayes who then cut in from the left and rifled the ball into the bottom corner.
Luke Nock glanced a header towards goal, but it was tipped behind by Eastham and Dale were left frustrated yet again.
The final opening saw Chorlton find D’Souza on the left, his shot clearing the crossbar.
The result was a tough pill to swallow for Dale whose performance deserved much more than to come away empty handed.
Chris Brown’s side are next in action on Saturday, when they face Port Vale away from home, with kick-off at 11:00.
DALE XI | Chalton, Chorlton, Kinsella, Pye, D’Souza, Nock, Kershaw, Kyffin (63’), Scanlon, Thomas, Wright (63’).
SUBS | Kelly, Lee, Cullen (63’), Clarkson (63’), Caldwell.