Rochdale added another point to the board on Tuesday night following a 1-1 draw with Salford City at the Crown Oil Arena.
James Ball’s first half goal was cancelled out by Matty Lund’s second half header.
There were two changes to the side that lined up against Barrow at the weekend, with Jimmy McNulty and Liam Kelly coming in for Stephen Dooley and Matty Done.
Opportunities were at premium for both sides during the opening exchanges, and it was Salford City who struck first, when Ryan Watson curled an effort wide from the edge of the area on 17 minutes.
Soon after, Jay Lynch was called into action to hold Brandon Asante’s back heel flick at the near post.
Captain Eoghan O’Connell then showed strength to out-muscle Asante and block his shot at source after the forward had burst into the area.
Rochdale’s first real opportunity of the game came in the 28th minute and they scored from it. Ball capitalised on a Salford mistake as he intercepted a cross-field pass, before driving past the last defender and into the area, and slotting home through the legs of Tom King.
Moments later, Max Clark swung a ball to the back post for Corey O’Keeffe, who had a header held.
O’Keeffe then stung the palms of the ‘keeper, forcing King to push his fierce effort from the edge of the 18-yard box over the bar. From the resulting corner, he headed over.
Asante looked the only capable of causing problems for Dale, and Jeriel Dorsett did superbly well to steal in and get in front of him to head behind the danger as he got in on goal again.
He then sliced an effort wide, before the brave Lynch dived to his feet to smother the ball.
On the stroke of half-time, Matty Lund, former Dale midfielder, fired a first-time effort over, as Rochdale stood firm to take a lead into the break.
The start of the second half mirrored that of the first, with no chances of note for either side, until Lund equalised for the Ammies in the 67th minute. The midfielder met Stephen Kelly’s free-kick, flicking home a header.
Rochdale’s first change of the match followed three minutes later, with Conor Grant replacing O’Keeffe.
Man of the Match Dorsett then got back superbly to dispossess Asante who had brought down a ball over the top.
Ball should have put Dale back in front soon after, but he couldn’t convert the opportunity. There were shouts for a Rochdale free-kick as Jimmy Keohane was hacked down but as the ball fell for the home side, the referee waved play on and Liam Kelly sent a dangerous low ball across the face of goal. Ball came steaming in at the back post to meet it but blasted over from close range.
Dooley came on for George Broadbent soon after.
Salford then also had an opportunity to take the lead, but Watson fired over, after Asante’s blocked shot fell favourably for him.
A third and final Rochdale substitution followed, with Matty Done, making his 300th Dale appearance, replacing Kelly.
Shortly after his introduction Done had a downward header cleared off the line from Tahvon Campbell’s cross.
Dale rallied inside stoppage time as they put numerous balls into the Salford box, but the Ammies stood firm and the points were shared.