Keith Hill's side dominated their struggling hosts for long periods but were unable to turn overwhelming second half superiority into goals and as a result lost ground in the Play off race.

For all bar a ten minute period during the first half during which struggling County scored it was a case of attack against defence with the home sides rearguard definitely winning the battle.

Unsuprisingly Dale made just one change to the side that came from behind to beat Accrington last time out with keeper Tommy Lee making his debut and though the visitors, playing into a strong wind, started the better Notts County had something of a purple patch starting after a long free kick was allowed to bounce into the path of Danny Crowe on 18 minutes with the little striker, fortunately lofting the ball over the advancing Lee but wide of the target. Five minutes later after Simon Ramsden misjudged a swirly Ricky Butcher cross Crowe was presented with another chance but blasted high and wide.

Notts took the lead on 28 minutes. Wayne Corden skipped around two ineffectual challenges in the box and found striker Ryan Jarvis. The on loan Norwich man scuffed his shot but it fell invitingly for veteran defender Michael Johnson who finished easily from 6 yards.

Having got something to hold onto the home side seemed content to sit back and invited Dale on. Time and again good positions were worked but time and again the final ball simply wasn't good enough and a member of a very determined defence was on hand to clear.

Right at the end of the first half an equaliser might have arrived but last weekends hat trick hero Adam le Fondre snatched at a half volley six yards from goal and blazed it over the bar.

The second period saw Dale camped in and around the County box but with a cutting edge missing and determined defenders aplenty in front of him veteran keeper Russell Hoult didn't actually have a meaningful save to make.

An off balance Chris Basham effort went wide on 46 minutes, Le Fondre headed straight at the big keeper on 55 minutes and Gary Jones saw his blasted effort from a tight angle defelcted over the bar on 60 minutes.

On 62 minutes when an adam rundle wasn't cleared Rene Howe saw his volley brilliantly cleared off the line by Johnson who repeated the feat 11 minutes later when Rundle's inswinging cross seemed destined fro the top corner. Le Fondre had a goal ruled out by the linesman on 77 minutes and after Ben Muirhead and Joe Thompson had been introduced from the bench Howe shaved an upright after barging his way into the box on 84 minutes.

It was, without doubt disappointing ,but a win on Monday against Rotherham would see Dale again take closer order in the Play off race.