A first home win for Rochdale since November and a first clean sheet since October helped Rochdale move further from the trap door.

The result also kept Peterborough just out of the play-off zone and on the evidence of today's performance from the Posh; they'll be no extension to their season.

Rochdale manager Steve Parkin made just one change from the side that scraped a point at Rushden and Diamonds, bringing Lee Cartwright on in place of Scott Warner.

It was a scrappy start on a firm pitch and the closest we got to an effort on goal arrived in the fifth minute after a left sided freekick was headed back across the area for Richard Logan. The Posh striker attempted a first time volley that Simon Ramsden blocked.

Then followed a lovely move by the home side, a move that brought their first good chance. Rickie Lambert sent Dagnall on his way with a neat touch from the outside of his boot and Dagnall went on the beat two defenders before cutting the ball back for Cartwright, but his effort from 18-yards was saved.

With 13 minutes on the clock Gary Jones lashed a shot goalwards and again it was saved comfortably by Tyler, just before Ben Kitchen almost got on the end of a Simon Ramsden cross from the right. Good work by Newton to keep Kitchen out.

The game entered its second scrappy phase of the afternoon with neither side getting on top as we approached the break, though Dale did fashion a great chance on the whistle after Dagnall was put through following a neat one-two with Lambert.

The young striker took the ball in his stride before attempting to slide the ball under then 'keeper, but Tyler got down well to save.

Peterborough came out a better side in the second half, showing more energy and should have taken the lead on 54 minutes after a good cross from the right by Danny Crow was criminally missed by Logan at the far post.

Two minutes later Rickie Lambert was booked after referee Eddie Ilderton mistakenly gave the visitors a corner following another sweet move. Dagnall again proving the live wire collecting another one-two from Lambert, but his effort was blocked leading to a protest too strong from Lambert and he found his way into the book.

With 67 minutes played Dale boss Steve Parkin made two changes taking off Ben Kitchen and Ernie Cooksey for Iyseden Christie and John Doolan, switching the formation to a more attacking 4-3-3.

Just four minutes after coming on Christie took advantage of a fumble by Tyler who found a Rickie Lambert shot too hot too handle to put Dale into a lead they were never in any danger of losing.

Peterborough, with former Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson on the bench in his advisory role never really threatened the Dale rearguard, marshalled by a solid performance from Gareth Griffiths.

The home side had chances to extend their lead as the game wore on with the best opportunity falling to goal-scorer Chris Dagnall at the end.

It was a poor defensive header from Phil Bolland that allowed Lambert to slip the ball through to Dagnall who raced into the box only to be denied by some strong defending by Arber.