An equaliser in the 98th minute from George Nevett saw Dale hold league leaders Blackpool to a 1-1 draw at the Crown Oil Arena in the Youth Alliance League.
The Youth Team came into the game knowing it was going to be a difficult challenge facing up against table toppers Blackpool and after eight minutes, the visitors showed why they are top of the league.
A free-flowing move on the right followed up by a teasing cross into the box found the head of Blackpool forward Zak Littler, who headed the ball past Ellis Craven, to give Blackpool a deserved lead after dominating the early exchanges of the encounter.
Dale responded well to going a goal behind. Some excellent play from Joe Cunningham as he breezed past three Blackpool players before giving the ball to Paul Kyffin, whose effort went just over the bar.
Minutes later, the Blackpool keeper made an excellent save to deny Dale from levelling just before half-time. Kyffin’s effort in the box fell to the feet of Darren Ehimamiegho who poked the ball goalwards, but the keeper just managed to get enough contact with the ball to divert it past the post.
At the other end, a great block from Max Sutton on the goal line prevented the visitors from doubling their lead and both teams headed into the break with the scoreline at 1-0 to Blackpool.
Into the second-half and neither side really threatened either goal for the first 20 minutes.
Later in the game, Paddy Watts made two excellent blocks in a matter of minutes to deny two Blackpool forwards from getting on the scoresheet, keeping Dale alive and with a chance of getting a result from the game.
Deep into additional time, a long ball forward from Craven was met by the head of substitute Luke Mann, who nodded the ball down into the path of Nevett who fired the ball into the net to level the game.
That Nevett goal proved to be the last act of the game as shortly after the celebrations had ended, the referee blew his whistle for full-time.
DALE XI: Craven, Cunningham, Watts, Nevett, Sutton, Dunlop, Ayub, Kyffin, Greenwell, Ehimamiegho, Jesus.
SUBS: MacLorg, Mann (86’), Bailey (71’), Yaduat (81’).
Report by Luke Westmorland