Dale were beaten 2-0 at AFC Fylde on New Year’s Day in a game which was marred by a serious injury to Jesurun Uchegbulam.
Danny Ormerod scored two goals in four second-half minutes before Uchegbulam required lengthy treatment after a collision with the advertising hoardings.
The winger was taken to hospital in a stable condition and we will provide a further update on him in due course.
Jimmy McNulty made two changes from Boxing Day’s win over the Coasters. Max Taylor replaced the injured George Nevett, with Kwaku Oduroh coming in for the suspended Tyrese Sinclair.
With options limited for the Dale Head Coach, he shuffled his pack on the pitch, with Cameron John returning to left-back having played three games in midfield. Oduroh came in at right-back, with Finlay Armstrong on the left of midfield. Jimmy Keohane joined Ian Henderson up top.
The hosts had a number of efforts at goal throughout the first-half, with Nick Haughton having the first two, seeing one blocked and a lofted effort comfortably held by Louie Moulden.
Uchegbulam and Ethan Ebanks-Landell put balls into dangerous areas for Dale, whilst Armstrong saw a shot inside the area well blocked.
Former Dale man Luke Charman sent a shot from distance narrowly wide, before crashing a similar effort off the crossbar.
Moulden was called into further action when he saved a close-range shot from Harry Davis and clawed away Jon Ustabasi’s curling effort. He was also on hand to tip Connor Barrett’s well-struck effort from 25-yards over the bar.
At the other end, Harvey Gilmour had a shot beaten away by home goalkeeper Theo Richardson after winning the ball high up the pitch, before Uchegbulam fired over after cutting into the Fylde area from the right.
Dan Whitehead had two great opportunities to give the hosts the lead before the break, diverting a cross from the left wide, before seeing a curling effort flash narrowly past Moulden’s left post.
After the break, Whitehead fired off target before seeing another effort well blocked by Ryan East, who deflected it over the bar.
However, Dale fell behind in the 58th minute when Danny Ormerod’s clinical finish put the hosts ahead.
The young striker doubled his tally four minutes later after a scramble in the area fell for him and he poked home from close range.
There was a lengthy stoppage when Uchegbulam suffered what looked to be a serious injury after colliding with the advertising hoardings. He was treated by medical staff, with McNulty and the whole of the Dale squad standing with him to give their support. The winger was stretchered off and taken to hospital after treatment, following which the players returned to the pitch.
There were some minor chances for either side in the remaining minutes, but with thoughts mostly with Uchegbulam, the game ended 2-0.
Dale XI | Moulden, Keohane, Taylor, Ebanks-Landell ©, Armstrong (63’ Afuye), Gilmour, John, East, Oduroh, Uchegbulam (73’ Edwards), Henderson.
Unused subs | Burgess.