Rochdale 0 Peterborough 2

Dale's dismal home form continues as the side succumbed to big spending Peterborough after conceding two second-half goals.

Keith Hill's men have won only four out of 13 league matches at Spotland this season and were never close to make it five wins - despite the gaffer returning to the hot seat after illness.

This was a day unlike others not only because fans had been helping out clearing snow off the pitch since 9 am, but also because deadline day signing Lee Thorpe from Brentford made his debut. Unfortunately, the 32-year-old striker will have to wait for his first win in the yellow shirt as Peterborough proved to be the better side on the day.

Both teams created few scares in the first half and the earliest real opportunity followed Dale's first corner of the game when Rory McArdle tried his luck with a volley strike. David Perkins soon after displayed some great technical skills opening up the defence before cutting inside. His effort - as most of Dale's attempts - was blocked by a pretty tight Posh defence and it wasn't until in the 20th minute that Tom Kennedy's shot first found its way through the back four.

Both teams kept breaking each other's passes but it was Darren Ferguson's side who looked most dangerous on the counter-attack as speedy Craig Mackail-Smith came close with two drives. However, most of the time, Nathan Stanton stood in Peterborough's way defending solidly throughout the game and rightfully deserved the man-of-the-match award.

None of the teams had a clear-cut chance in the first 45 which justified the goalless score but Peterborough's George Boyd was keen on changing the score board and broke the deadlock on 57 minutes. Posh were piling on the pressure and following a throw-in, the ball landed in front of Boyd who did not hesitate before releasing a 25-yard-rocket towards the top cross.

Hilly brought on Adam Rundle and Ben Muirhead in a double substitution swiftly after the goal to fuel the lads and the latter almost scored on his initial touch. New recruit Thorpe played the ball in from the byline but Muirhead somehow failed to convert from close range.

Thorpe who was added to the squad in order to fill the void left by Glenn Murray should have no problems fitting in. He was partnered up front with Adam Le Fondre and was well involved in the game although quite a few passes to him were mistimed. However, it was great to see some inventive attacking play as he back healed a couple of balls to his colleagues.

Rundle and Muirhead really came on as fresh legs and sent the ball along the goal line but there was no one there to connect. Instead Posh added a second as Boyd set up League Two's top scorer Aaron McLean 20 minutes after the opener. The forward was always going to threaten Dale and showed no mercy when he calmly slotted home.

Rochdale tried to pull one back but as Le Fondre raced towards the goal the referee called for handball on him and awarded a free-kick to Posh. Dale also had two set pieces in dangerous position near the end but the score remained 2-0.

Posh have now broken the record of four consecutive wins and hopefully Dale will bounce back on Tuesday night when Barnet visit Spotland.