Ian Henderson scored the winning goal as Dale ran out 2-1 winners in a pre-season friendly at Darlington.
After a goalless first-half, the hosts took the lead through Jacob Hazel, before Devante Rodney and then Henderson, playing in his first friendly after returning to the club this week, turned the game around.
Luke Charman, facing the club Dale bought him from in January, had a couple of early chances, one of which was held low by the goalkeeper.
Liam Kelly shot off target before Ethan Brierley, and then Kelly again, both had efforts from outside the area saved, the latter of which was initially spilled but collected at the second attempt.
Cameron John had an effort cleared off the line after being picked out by Rodney’s cross, before the half ended with a Kelly free-kick curling narrowly wide.
The deadlock was broken 12 minutes after the break when Hazel latched on to a ball forward, before firing off the inside of the far post.
However, Dale were behind for less than two minutes, as Rodney found the far bottom corner with an excellent strike from the edge of the area.
Robbie Stockdale made a number of changes with around 20 minutes remaining, one of which, James Ball, had a first-time effort deflected narrowly over from the edge of the area.
Max Taylor saw a back post header saved low, meeting a Brierley free-kick, before Dale took the lead.
A corner sent in by Brierley from the right was flicked on by Trialist B, straight into the path of Henderson, who converted from close range.
Brierley fired an effort wide with what proved to be the last kick of the game, which ended in victory for Dale.
Starting XI | O’Donnell (70’ Trialist C), Keohane (66’ Graham), Taylor, John (66’ McNulty), Odoh, White (66’ Seriki), Diagouraga (66’ Ball), Brierley, Kelly (45’ Trialist A), Rodney (66’ Trialist B), Charman.