Dale leapfrogged Utd in the league with a hard fought, but well deserved victory.

Utd started on the front foot and Dale were lucky not to be two down early in the game with Utd's right winger striking the bar, and then bringing a great save from keeper Beth Walsh. Dale gradually got to grips with Utd's speed and power and started to control the game.

On 25 minutes, Sophie Barton won the ball on the right and played inside for Lizzie Hamer to feed Zoe Cooney. She slipped the ball to Lizzie Paul whose pinpoint pass found Fiona Reddin on the left. Reddin burst passed the Utd fullback and whipped the ball across the face of goal.

The keeper could only parry the ball and Zoe Cooney made it 1 - 0 on the follow up.

Dale pressed forward with Coral O'Keefe and Chelsea Cook both going close, but could not add to their tally.

The second half was like a full blooded cup tie with play moving from end to end.

But Dale's central defensive pairing of Daniella Walsh and Jenny Ashton, were in a determined mood, and kept Utd at bay.

Danielle Thorpe joined the fray and her driving runs and hard tackling unnerved the visitors.

Her pressing play caused the Utd defence to lose possession, and Fiona Reddin pounced on the loose ball and unleashed a looping shot into the roof of the net from twenty five yards.

Both Fiona Reddin and Anna Genders were causing problems on each wing, and being well supported by Sophie Barton and Ashley Grindrod.

Coral O'Keefe was working hard, keeping the visiting defenders on their toes, and she got her reward when Zoe Cooney powered down the left wing and crossed into the box. Utd cleared, but Rhianne Ward-Hilton won the ball back and chipped it goalward where Coral O'Keefe was lurking. Her flicked header beat the keeper and gave Dale a 3 - 0 lead.

With full time looming, Dale relaxed, and Utd's right winger evaded two tackles, and slid the ball into the bottom corner to give them a late consolation.