Dale were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Trophy after a 5-1 defeat against Gateshead.
Brad Kelly made his professional debut for Dale, in one of four changes from our last outing at Bromley. Max Taylor, Tyrese Sinclair and Kwaku Oduroh also came in.
Jesurun Uchegbulam saw a couple of dangerous crosses turned behind for Dale corners, whilst Kelly was forced into action twice, denying two efforts from Tom Allan with his feet.
Ian Henderson, captain for the night, was inches away from opening the scoring when he headed a cross off the bar.
Adam Clayton was denied by a fine save from Harrison Bond, when his first-time strike from 25-yards was tipped over the bar, minutes before the visitors were awarded a penalty.
However, they wasted it, when Connor McBride fired his spot kick well over the bar.
McBride did make amends in added time of the first period though, when he finished off a fine Gateshead move to open the scoring.
Two goals in three second-half minutes took the game away from Dale, through Billy Chadwick and Callum Whelan.
Michael Afuye came for Dale and saw a near post shot saved, before Sinclair pulled one back from the penalty spot for Jimmy McNulty’s men.
He handed debuts for scholars Luke Mann and Isaac Burgess, who both equipped themselves well, but two stoppage time goals from Heed substitute Marcus Dinanga turned it into a scoreline that was harsh on Dale.
Dale XI | B Kelly, Oduroh, Taylor, Nevett, Keohane, Clayton (71’ Mann), Gilmour, Sinclair (77’ Burgess), Uchegbulam (62’ Afuye), East, Henderson.
Unused subs | Moulden, John, Ebanks-Landell, Edwards.