Dale were held to a point at home to Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.
After a goalless first-half, the visitors broke the deadlock just after the break, but Devante Rodney’s sixth goal of the season brought Dale level.
Jimmy McNulty’s men pushed for a winner late on but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Slavomir Huk, as it ended 1-1.
The Head Coach made two changes from last weekend’s game at Oldham Athletic. George Nevett and Jimmy Keohane returned to the starting line-up, replacing Dan Sassi and Cameron John, who both dropped to the bench.
Dale applied the majority of the pressure in the first period, with a number of shots well-blocked by the Dorking defence from Devante Rodney, Sam Mather, Cian Hayes and Kairo Mitchell.
Mitchell also sent an effort from 25 yards narrowly off target after turning his man well.
The visitors came the closest to opening the scoring though, with Jacob Chapman on top form to deny them.
First, he flicked a hand at Alfie Rutherford’s close-range effort, turning it wide of the post. Then, he tipped Bobby-Joe Taylor’s well-struck 25-yard shot over the crossbar.
Mather was causing problems for the visiting defence and after skipping past two defenders, he was denied by goalkeeper Huk.
Hayes sent a free-kick over the bar before coming inches away from setting up the opener, but his ball across the face of goal was just too far ahead of Mitchell who was sliding in at the back post.
After the break, Ryan East had a shot blocked and Rodney was denied by Huk, before the visitors took the lead, when Rutherford’s shot was deflected into the path of Charlie Carter, who slammed home off the inside of the post.
However, Dale responded well and were level within five minutes. Some patient build-up play led to Mitchell finding Rodney, who shifted the ball on to his left foot and rifled one into the top corner.
Huk then denied Rodney moments later, before Chapman made a fine fingertip save to deny Tony Craig’s header.
Dale really started to turn the screw as the game wore on, with Mitchell curling an effort wide after a surging run forward from George Nevett.
Mitchell diverted an East corner over and Rodney saw a one-on-one saved after bringing down a ball forward impeccably.
Substitute Ian Henderson also saw a shot turned wide by Huk before the goalkeeper saved another Mitchell effort and one from Hayes, as Dale were forced to settle for a point.
Dale XI | Chapman, Gordon, Ebanks-Landell, Nevett, Keohane (66’ Mellor), East, Gilmour (83’ Henderson), Hayes, Mather (89’ Sinclair), Rodney, Mitchell.
Unused subs | John, Sassi.
