After the Lord Mayors show on Saturday, it was back to bread and butter against Bristol Rovers, for the privilege of meeting Preston away in the third round of the FA Cup.
Below par Rochdale went behind after 20 minutes when they failed to clear a corner and let in Adam Barrett.
Clive Platt redeemed them in the 35th minute, also from a corner and Rochdale must have felt they were home and dry when Paul Connor put them in front two minutes in to the second half.
The fun lasted only three minutes before an awful mistake by Wayne Evans let in Paul Tait for an equaliser.
It was touch and go for Rochdale after this until they brought on Patrick McCourt after 74 minutes and he finished off a lovely five-man move through the middle of the pitch putting the ball into the net for a 79th minute winner.
It was not over yet, as Bristol Rovers still caused problems for the home defence but Rochdale held out.
Goalkeeper Neil Edwards made two good saves to see that the tie and any Rochdale blushes were saved.
It was anybodyÂ’s game really with Bristol Rovers offering a lot more than had been expected with Kevin Austin solid in a defence that was as prone to error as Rochdale's.
The deciding factor was bringing on MCourt who got himself booked but more importantly got himself a winning goal.