Jim Gannon had to make a late change to his starting eleven at Spotland when Adam Proudlock, scheduled to partner Anthony Elding up front, reported ill this afternoon.

And that gave Liam Dickinson his opportunity alongside Elding after Matty McNeil was moved back as an emergency centre-half to deputise for skipper Ashley Williams.

McNeil answered the call as Williams' natural replacement, Michael Raynes, was still suffering with a sickness bug.

Anthony Pilkington, a sub on Saturday, came in on the right with Paul Turnbull, another sub against Peterborough, replacing Dominic Blizzard

Dale included three former Hatters, James Spencer, Adam Le Fondre and Glen Murray. A fourth, Scott Taylor, was on the bench.

The Hatters were first out of the traps as they surged forward looking to get an opening goal.

At the other end Owen had to be at his best to hold off Le Fondre in the area, as the dimunitive striker looked determined to score against his old club. He very nearly did when he got on the end of a Logan blocked shot, but the referee ruled it out for a foul much to the relief of the County fans.

Kalum Higinbotham went close with a wonderful free-kick from the edge of the area following a foul by Jason Taylor on Glenn Murray.

Gary Jones then had a shot on the edge of the area as Dale started to pile on the pressure, Logan the far busier of the two keepers.

Le Fondre had a golden chance for Dale when the ball came right to his heel, but he didn't know too much about it and didn't have the time to control the ball and finish against his home club.

County unbelievably had the lead though when Adam Griffin burst into the box and crossed from the by-line for Dickinson who smashed the ball home to send the away fans into a raptuous applause.

Higginbotham put a cross-cum-shot from the right-wing that went just over the bar as Dale pushed for an equaliser. McArdle had a good headed effort on goal from a corner ball, but Logan gathered comfortably.

Logan again had to be at his best to deny Rochdale a chance on the stroke of half time with a good free-kick from the right.

Second Half

There was a surprise at half time as Keith Briggs replaced Elding.

Logan pulled off a wonderful save to again deny Le Fondre, who produced a wonderful curling effort on the 52nd minute.

County were further ahead on the 54th minute when Liam Dickinson scored his second of the game with a wonderful header from 8 yards out. His glancing header from a pin-point Paul Tierney free kick gave Spencer no chance.

The natives started to get a little restless now but this did not perturb Dale who continued to press, but the back four, in particular McNeil, were solid.

Dale were awarded a penalty on the the 69th minute when Taylor was adjudged to have handballed. Le Fondre scored the resulting spot kick against his former club.

Le Fondre had the ball in the back of the net again on the 84th minute, but he was adjudged to have fouled Logan and County remained in front.

Deep into injury time Briggs had a golden chance to score when he met Griffin's cross, but Spencer got to the ball to deny County a precious third.

In the end one goal was enough as patched-up County secured a valuable three points away from home, and their third consecutive victory at Spotland.