Dale underlined their growing promotion credentials with another thrilling performance even though they lost 3 key players to the horrendous M62 traffic jams. Rory McArdle, Nathan Stanton and Ben Muirhead couldn't get tp Spotland in time to be named so 3 young players styepped up to the plate and delivered. marcus Holness as always came in and defended superbly, Nathan D'Laryea alongside him looking equally composed and assured and another teenager Joe Thompson stepped out of the shadows and did well.

As the first half wore on with Dale in complete control it looked like being an evening of frustration especially as referee Whitestone, who was less than convincing throughout, managed to miss 2 clear penalties as first of all Stephen Hunt and then Michael Johnson clearly handled the ball in the penalty area.

The only first half threat saw a spell of pin ball in the Dale box with Tommy Lee making an excellent reaction save and D'Laryea a vital header off the line.

After the break though Keith Hill's young guns got their reward for a series of flowing moves.

The opener came on 57 minutes as Tom Kennedy, 3 times involved in the move, pproduced a top quality cross and Rene Howe rose to head home his 4th goal in as many days.

The second came on 70 minutes as Howe flicked on a Ramsden throw into the path of man of the match Adam Rundle who drove it through the desparing dive of Russell Hoult from just inside the penalty area.

Just as Grimsby did on Saturday the visitors reduced the deficit out of the blue as substitute Myles Weston shrugged off Dave Perkins and crossed for veteran Jason Lee who had a simple 6 yard finish.

The best goal of night came next as substitute Adam Le Fondre controlled the ball, fed it out to Howe before racing into the box to get onto the end of a well placed cross with a flying header for his 15th goal of the campaign.   

Le Fondre then forced veteran defender Michael Johnson into a hurried over hit back pass that eluded his keeper and nesteled into the net for Dale's 4th goal on 83 minutes before Simon Ramsden then conceded a last minute penalty that County's best player on the night Neil Mackenzie calmy converted.

Not a bad time to be a Dale fan is it?

Next stop Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.