The terms of the £20,000 deal that saw him move to Rovers nine days earlier meant the striker's involvement was restricted to making the half-time draw.
As he scored 22 goals for Dale last season it was a wise precaution but how Rovers could have done with him. And Rochdale too for that matter.
This was a game which simply died in the sun for the want of a goal. Any sort of a strike from any part of the anatomy would have done.
When the one real chance came from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute, Rovers' Richard Walker fluffed it by shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
For the second match running Rochdale's James Sharp gave away a spot-kick. This one was for a two-footed tackle which ended the day for Wales Under-21 striker Lewis Haldane.
It also brought Sharp a booking, but in Rochdale hearts all was forgiven when Matt Gilks spread himself on the line for Walker's shot to speed to safety off his left leg.
History was on the Lancashire club's side, for it is now nine visits going back more than 30 years since they were last beaten at Rovers.
In the early stages they created enough chances to have merited a half-time lead.
Young Keith Barker, borrowed from Blackburn to fill Lambert's boots, was full of running while giant Morike Sako was a dangerous target man. He scored the winner at the Memorial Stadium a year ago for Torquay, but this time had to settle for a decent penalty shout and a swing at a low cross from Barker which he lifted out of the ground.
Barker hit the woodwork with a header and Chris Dagnall got in some reasonable shots, while Rovers had little to offer until Sam Igoe began to exploit the vast amount of space he was given down the right.
Walker had a decent chance, turning sharply and unleashing a left-foot shot which Gilks did well to turn away for a corner, while Haldane sent his best opportunity over the bar.